Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
| Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Pseudognaphalium |
| Species: | P. obtusifolium |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, synonyms including Gnaphalium obtusifolium and Pseudognaphalium saxicola, is a member of the family Asteraceae.[2] It is found on open dry sandy habitat throughout eastern North America. Common names include old field balsam, rabbit tobacco, sweet everlasting[citation needed] and life everlasting.[3] When crushed, the plant exudes a characteristic maple-syrup scent.[citation needed]
Description
[edit]It is a biennial herb which grows up to one meter tall. In its first year, the plant produces tightly packed rosettes covered in wooly hair. In the second year, the plant produces a tall stem with alternate leaves and yellow peg-shaped flowerheads. These are borne in clusters. The seeds are dispersed by the wind. Its native habitats include dry clearings, fields, and edges of woods.[4]
Taxonomy
[edit]Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Gnaphalium obtusifolium. It was transferred to Pseudognaphalium in 1981.[2]
Populations found in the state of Wisconsin growing on ledges and in cracks in shaded limestone cliff-faces, usually those facing south or east, have been described as Pseudognaphalium saxicola, common name cliff cudweed or rabbit-tobacco.[5][6] Pseudognaphalium saxicola is listed as Threatened in Wisconsin and is assessed as T2 (Imperiled) by NatureServe,[7][8] but is regarded by other sources as a synonym of Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium.[2]
Ecology
[edit]Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium hosts larvae of the American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) butterfly and its flowers are visited by short-tongued bees, wasps, and flies, while its foliage is eaten by wild turkey and deer.[9] In the garden, it attracts butterflies and bees including specialized bees.[9]
Uses by Native Americans
[edit]Alabama tribe
[edit]The Alabama tribe used a compound decoction of it as a treatment for nervousness and sleepiness,[10] and a decoction as a face wash for nerves and insomnia.[11]
Cherokee
[edit]The Cherokee use it in a compound for muscle cramps, local pains, and twitching,[12] and apply an infusion of it over scratches made over muscle cramp pain.[11] It is also used internally with Carolina Vetch for rheumatism.[12] A decoction is taken for colds, and the plant is also made into cough syrup.[12] It is used in a sweat bath to treat various diseases, made into a warm liquid blown down throat for clogged throat (diphtheria), chewed for a sore mouth or throat, and smoked for asthma.[12]
Choctaw
[edit]The Choctaw use a decoction of leaves and blossoms taken for lung pain[11][13] and colds.[11][13]
Creek
[edit]The Creek add the leaves to medicines as a perfume,[14] use a decoction to treat vomiting,[14] as a throat washes for mumps,[11] as a wash "for people who wanted to run away" and as a wash for people who are believed to be afflicted by ghosts.[10] A decoction made of the plant tops are used as a wash for old people who are unable to sleep.[14] They also use a compound decoction of plant tops as an inhalant for colds, and apply a poultice of decoction of leaves for the throat for mumps.[14]
Koasati
[edit]The Koasati take a decoction of the leaves for fevers, and use it to bathe those who are feverish.[11]
Menominee
[edit]The Menominee steam the dried leaves as an inhalant for headaches, and as a treatment against "foolishness".[15] They also smudge the leaves and use them to fumigate premises to dispel ghosts,[16] and to bring back "loss of mind". This smudge is also used to revive unconscious patients.[17] The leaf smoke is blown into the nostrils of people who have fainted.[16]
Montagnais
[edit]The Montagnais use a decoction of the plant for coughing and tuberculosis.[18]
Rappahannock
[edit]The Rappahannock Tribe take an infusion of the roots for chills, smoke dried leaves or dried stems in a pipe for asthma, and chew the leaves for "fun".[19]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (L.) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- ↑ Graedon, Terry (May 5, 2025). "Do You Know This Surprisingly Versatile 'Life Everlasting' Herb?". People's Pharmacy. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org.
- ↑ Flora of North America
- ↑ Nesom, G. L. 2004d. Pseudognaphalium canescens(Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) and putative relatives in western North America. Sida 21: 781–790.
- ↑ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
- ↑ "Cliff Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium saxicola) - Wisconsin DNR". dnr.wi.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
- 1 2 "Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (Cudweed, Fragrant Cudweed, Fragrant Rabbit Tobacco, Rabbit Tobacco, Sweet Everlasting) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (pp. 663, 664)
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Taylor, Linda Averill 1940 Plants Used As Curatives by Certain Southeastern Tribes. Cambridge, MA. Botanical Museum of Harvard University (p. 61)
- 1 2 3 4 Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (pp. 51, 52)
- 1 2 Bushnell, Jr., David I. 1909 The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. SI-BAE Bulletin #48 (p. 24)
- 1 2 3 4 Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
- ↑ Densmore, Francis 1932 Menominee Music. SI-BAE Bulletin #102 (p. 129)
- 1 2 Smith, Huron H. 1923 Ethnobotany of the Menomini Indians. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 4:1-174 (p. 30)
- ↑ Smith, Huron H. 1928 Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 4:175-326 (pp. 214, 215)
- ↑ Speck, Frank G. 1917 Medicine Practices of the Northeastern Algonquians. Proceedings of the 19th International Congress of Americanists pp. 303–321 (314)
- ↑ Speck, Frank G., R.B. Hassrick and E.S. Carpenter 1942 Rappahannock Herbals, Folk-Lore and Science of Cures. Proceedings of the Delaware County Institute of Science 10:7-55. (p. 29)
Further reading
[edit]- Clemants, Steve and Gracie, Carol Wildflowers in the Field and Forest: A Field Guide to the Northeastern United States Oxford University Press 2006. 294:5
- Yatskievych, Kay Field Guide to Indiana Wildflowers Indiana University Press 2000. 229:1149