Asteraceae: Antennaria parvifolia
Files
Family Name
Asteraceae
Common Name
Small-leaf pussytoes
Description
Antennaria parvifolia is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. It grows from a fibrous root system and spreads asexually by slender, above-ground stolons, often forming low, dense mats. Stems are simple, unbranched, and erect to ascending, typically 5–20 cm tall, and are densely covered with soft, woolly hairs (notable pubescence). Basal leaves are numerous, forming a rosette; they are oblanceolate to spatulate, usually 1–4 cm long and 2–7 mm wide, with entire margins, a green upper surface, and a grayish, woolly underside. Cauline leaves are few, much smaller, linear to narrowly lanceolate, and reduced up the stem. This species is dioecious, with male and female flower heads on separate plants. Flowering occurs from May to July. Inflorescences are clusters of 2–7 terminal flower heads, each about 5–8 mm across. Male heads have creamy white, tubular florets with conspicuous anthers; female heads have white, hairlike pistillate florets. The involucre bracts are white or tinged with pink, giving the flower clusters a soft, “pussytoe” appearance. The fruit is a tiny, one-seeded achene (about 1 mm long) with a tuft of white pappus bristles for wind dispersal, maturing in early to midsummer. Small-leaf pussytoes is native to South Dakota, found in dry prairies, grasslands, open pine woods, and rocky or sandy sites, and is widespread but more abundant in western and central parts of the state.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Seeds are mature when the pappus bristles expand and achenes detach easily, typically in early to midsummer.
Germination: Sow seeds in fall or spring; cold stratification and exposure to light improve germination rates.
Vegetative Propagation: Readily propagated by division of stolons or basal rosettes.
Soils: Prefers well-drained, sandy or rocky soils, and tolerates poor, dry sites.
Light: Requires full sun but tolerates very light shade.
Water: Highly drought-tolerant; needs minimal supplemental watering once established.
Additional Notes
Small-leaf pussytoes is valued as a native ground cover, especially for dry, disturbed, or poor soils where few other plants thrive. It is not toxic to humans and supports native pollinators, including early-season bees and butterflies.