Gnaphalium
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Gamochaeta
- Pseudognaphalium
- Phonetic Spelling
- Gna·pha·li·um -lēəm
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Weed
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The achenes are oblong, smooth, and sometimes have papillae.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green-gray stems with wooly hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Problems:
- Weedy
