About Pterocaulon virgatum (L.) DC.
Pterocaulon virgatum, commonly called wand blackroot, is a species of flowering plant. It is widespread across Latin America and the West Indies. Within the contiguous United States, it has only been recorded in Texas and Louisiana. This species can be found growing in marshy areas, ditches, sandy loam, and similar habitat types. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 150 cm (60 inches) tall. Its leaves are arranged alternately along stems, have a narrowly linear shape, are green on the upper surface, and are covered in dense woolly white hairs on the lower surface. Flower heads grow in spikes at the tips of branches. Each flower head contains no ray flowers, and only 25 to 50 yellow disc flowers. According to ethnobotanical records from James Mooney, the Cherokee people used this plant in sweat baths to treat a variety of diseases, and regarded it as one of their most valuable medicinal plants.
