44. South Dakota – White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)
White snakeroot is found throughout South Dakota’s wooded areas and fields. Its clusters of small white flowers conceal tremetol, a toxin that historically caused “milk sickness” when ingested indirectly through cow’s milk. Symptoms include nausea, muscle weakness, tremors, and heart failure. The plant’s leaves and stems are especially dangerous, and livestock grazing can result in fatal poisoning. Foragers, hikers, and children must be cautious, as white snakeroot appears deceptively harmless in the wild despite its lethal potential.
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