A variety of plants take their names from rattlesnakes

In the garden as in life, it is often eat or be eaten, so many animals try to scare predators off. One unusual animal goes by the scientific name Crotalus from the Greek, meaning castanet. And it does indeed carry its own castanet of dried hollow segments of dead skin on its tail that it rattles to scare away predators. The rattlesnake is feared and loved.

A snake in the grass means a hidden danger, but a snake in the garden can be a good thing, especially if it’s a rattlesnake. A rattlesnake vegetable, that is.

The Georgia Rattlesnake Watermelon is an old Southern favorite with beautiful striped skin much like a rattlesnake. The deliciously sweet, light-red flesh and large oval melons are still a favorite at farmstands and some supermarkets.

They can reach up to 75 pounds, though most are in the 25- to 50-pound range. The seeds are widely available locally or by mail from companies such as Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co., 2278 Baker Creek Road, Mansfield, MO 65704; phone: 417-924-8917.

Then there is the Rattlesnake Pole Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). This is another heirloom vegetable with round green pods streaked with purple rattlesnake stripes. Rattlesnake pole beans are known for flavor, whether used as fresh green beans, shelled beans or dried. The strong vines can reach over 10 feet long and are drought resistant. Seeds are available from many seed companies, including High Mowing Organic Seeds, 76 Quarry Road, Wolcott, VT 05680; phone: 802-472-6174.

While it is too late to grow either Georgia Rattlesnake Watermelon or Rattlesnake Pole Beans, you can have a rattlesnake year round in your home.

The Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia) is a durable houseplant with evergreen 24- to 30-inch slender leaves with rattlesnake stripes. The undersides of the leaves are a shocking deep purple.

Rattlesnake Plant is one of the easiest and best houseplants. Plants are available from many nurseries, including Logees, 141 North St., Danielson, CT 06239; phone 888-330-8038.

A native of the American tropics, the Rattlesnake Plant is at home in low to medium light, so can be used almost anywhere in the house except direct sun. Setting the plant on trays of pebbles and water will keep the humidity high just like its tropical homeland. Keep the plant warm, above 60 degrees.

To prevent rotting, let the soil dry out between waterings. They like moist, but not soggy soil with a neutral pH.

You can help keep the humidity high with a light misting every few days, but most owners find it does fine with a little neglect.

During spring and summer, feed your Rattlesnake Plant with a diluted liquid organic fertilizer every two weeks. Do not feed during the fall and winter when the plant stops growing.

Rattlesnake Plant will form lots of leaves and slowly spread to fill the pot. In the spring gently tap the plant out of its pot and see if the roots are beginning to wind around. Repot it into the next larger size pot. Use a quick-draining soil such as potting soil mixed with some sand. With luck your Rattlesnake Plant will bloom, though the flowers are not showy. The small, tube-shaped blossoms often grow in pairs.

Whether you grow Rattlesnake Pole Beans, Georgia Rattlesnake Watermelon or the unusual indoor Rattlesnake Plant, you won’t be rolling snake eyes (two single digits in dice) or falling for snake oil (a fake medicine), but you just may be a snake charmer.