Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Small-leaf Pussytoes
Antennaria parvifolia
Aster family (Asteraceae)

This is one of many Pussytoes, almost all of which are difficult to identify to the exact species because the species hybridize and also often reproduce apomictically, i.e., they asexually produce seeds and thus are inbred and somewhat distinct from even nearby populations of the same species. In addition, some populations may have both male and female plants whereas other populations have only one sex. The common name, "Pussytoes," refers to the tightly packed flower head's resemblance (from the top) to a cat's paw (from the bottom). "Antennaria" refers to antennae-like floral parts. "Parvifolia means "small leaves."


©2009 Barry Breckling

Description

, plants mat forming from , only 1-6" tall. and stem leaves to over 1", are -shaped, stem are , both are hairy on both sides. 2 to 6+ heads of flowers. made up of flowers only. Papery are white with pink tips. an , , angled.

Field Marks

Low mat-forming, sage green, very hairy plants with minute white flowerheads tightly packed in clusters.

© Al Schneider

linear -- Long and very narrow like a blade of grass.

phyllaries -- Leaflike bracts covering the flowers before opening and remaining under the flower after it opens. Also called "bracts". Only used with the sunflower family (Asteraceae).

achene -- a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. For example, a rose hip holds a few achenes.

disc flowers are those in the center of a sunflower or daisy. Not a ray flower.

corolla -- The name for all the petals of a flower taken together.

spatulate -- spoon-shaped.

glabrous -- smooth, glossy, having no bristles or hair-like structures. Bald.

basal -- at the base, situated or attached at the base.

stolon -- A slender modified stem running along the ground, rooting at the tip, and sprouting new plants. Strawberries have stolons. Also called runners.

fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.

dioecious -- When male and female reproductive structures are on separate plants.

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.