Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Gnaphalium canescens, Gnaphalium wrightii
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or perennial
Height
8 to 24 inches
Riparian
No
Erect stems with many branches and narrow leaves. Flower heads of numerous, small, ovoid heads arranged in branched somewhat flattened clusters.
Gray leaves not extending downward on the stem, dense soft hairs matted like wool on both sides; medium-sized flower heads without leafy bracts; bracts below the flower head are strongly overlapping, thin, dry and membranous.
Habitat
Lava beds, rocky sites, grasslands, oak, pine-oak, and pine woodlands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Clusters of pointed oval flower heads each containing many tiny disc flowers. The flower heads are arranged in clusters that resemble an umbel.
Flower color
White or yellowish-white
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long, alternate and stalkless, flat, narrow, tapering at their base with smooth margins and gray hairs on both sides.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Ovoid, to 1/4 inch long.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Pale brown
Ridged, warty; topped with bristles.