Smooth pussytoes are usually found in open areas and savannah-like areas under oaks and hickories. However this species can also be found occasionally in moist woodlands like beech-maple forests. They are found in most of the counties of Michigan, in much of the eastern U.S. and most of the Midwest.
Pussytoes are a fun plant to have. Nearly everyone I’ve talked to who has them in their yard has seen caterpillars of either American Lady or Painted Lady butterflies, or both. Once plants are established, they can handle the pressure from these caterpillars. Butterflies tend to lay a lot of eggs, so there can be quite a few on a small patch of plants.
Pussytoes have imperfect flowers that are either male and female flowers, which is known as diecious reproduction. In other states, with more species of pussytoes, identification can be difficult where the flowers are needed to ID. In Michigan, it is rather easier and one of the main characteristics of this species is the 3-5 deep veins in the leaves.
Smooth Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii)
Michigan Flor reference page for state distribution: Smooth Pussytoes
Height: 3-15”, 15” includes flower stalks. Most of the year you will just see basal leaves.
Bloom time: May-June
Soil: moist loam to drier sand, clay, rocky
Sun: full sun to dappled light
Plant spacing: 6-12”, spreads slowly
Flower: white, turns light pink as it ages
Life cycle: perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Seed source: Michigan
Sizes:
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Smooth pussytoes are usually found in open areas and savannah-like areas under oaks and hickories. However this species can also be found occasionally in moist woodlands like beech-maple forests. They are found in most of the counties of Michigan, in much of the eastern U.S. and most of the Midwest.
Pussytoes are a fun plant to have. Nearly everyone I’ve talked to who has them in their yard has seen caterpillars of either American Lady or Painted Lady butterflies, or both. Once plants are established, they can handle the pressure from these caterpillars. Butterflies tend to lay a lot of eggs, so there can be quite a few on a small patch of plants.
Pussytoes have imperfect flowers that are either male and female flowers, which is known as diecious reproduction. In other states, with more species of pussytoes, identification can be difficult where the flowers are needed to ID. In Michigan, it is rather easier and one of the main characteristics of this species is the 3-5 deep veins in the leaves.
Smooth Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii)
Michigan Flor reference page for state distribution: Smooth Pussytoes
Height: 3-15”, 15” includes flower stalks. Most of the year you will just see basal leaves.
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