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Gnaphalium

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Gamochaeta
  • Pseudognaphalium
Phonetic Spelling
Gna·​pha·​li·​um -lēəm
Description

Cudweeds are native herbs in the Asteraceae (daisy) family and comprise several closely related species that are winter annuals or short-lived perennials. They can be found growing on several continents.

The leaves are gray-green and covered in wooly hairs as is most of the plant. The flowers vary but are often in clusters of heads. in yellow, white or lavender. They grow 10 inches to 2 feet tall and are often found in sandy or rocky low-fertility soils in full sun. 

It is important as a butterfly host plant and has been used medicinally to treat parasites and sciatic pain. Some species may be appropriate in a naturalized area.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems

 

 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#medicinal#NC native#herbaceous perennial#naturalized area#herb#annual#weed#wooly hairs
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#medicinal#NC native#herbaceous perennial#naturalized area#herb#annual#weed#wooly hairs
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gnaphalium
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Gnaphalium has been used for pain of the sciatic nerve when pain is associated with numbness. Also used to treat parasites.
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern Hemisphere and parts of Southern Hemisphere
    Distribution:
    America, Asia, Africa, Australia
    Wildlife Value:
    Food for American painted lady caterpillars.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The achenes are oblong, smooth, and sometimes have papillae.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are tubular, white, lavender, or yellow in compact heads, closely arranged in a large terminal corymb.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Oblong
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Cudweeds have basal rosettes , alternate leaves on the stems and are covered in distinct fine, white "wooly" fibers. They are oval in shape and sessile (no stems). They are 1- 2.5 inches long 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green-gray stems with wooly hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Problems:
    Weedy