Family: Asteraceae
Plant Description: Annual to 30 cm or higher with grayish leaves 2-6 cm long. Flower heads in spikes or panicles, 3-4 mm long, discoid, gray-green or yellowish.
Field Identification: This is an erect, dried-out looking plant with small flower clusters in leaf axils. Fine hairs make leaves look dusty. Airborne seeds similar to dandelion.
Plant Trivia: Native of South America.
Occurrence: Frequent on various soils in prairies, open areas, disturbed places and fallow fields.
Bloom Period: Feb-May
Plant Use: Is a medicinal herb used traditionally for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, often applied in tea, decoctions or compresses to treat skin irritations, respiratory issues, and joint pain. Also used for digestive relief to help with gut infections, diarrhea and bloating. It serves as a butterfly host plant (American Painted Lady caterpillars) and is utilized for its resilience in low-fertility soils.
Dichotomous Key to genus Gamochaeta):
- Leaves white beneath, not silk-hairy………………….G. purpurea
Leaves silky hairy beneath………………………………………………………2
2. Lower and middle leaves 2-6 mm wide………………..G. fulcata
Lower and middle leaves 7-15 mm wide……..G. pensilvanica
stxflora 