SafePlants

Antennaria microphylla

Antennaria microphylla, also known as Littleleaf pussytoes, Rosy pussytoes, Pink pussytoes, Small pussytoes, or Dwarf everlasting, is a stoloniferous perennial forb belonging to the Asteraceae family.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant has small parts (leaves, flowers) that could pose a choking hazard if ingested.
• The plant is noted as having fuzzy flower heads and hairy stolons, which could be irritating if touched or ingested.

Considerations for Children

• This plant has small parts (leaves, flowers) that could pose a choking hazard if ingested.
• The plant is noted as having fuzzy flower heads and hairy stolons, which could be irritating if touched.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Asteraceae (also referred to as the composite family)
• Synonyms: The provided text also includes the following synonyms or related species, which may be helpful for identification:
  • Antennaria aprica Greene
  • Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. (Small-leaf Pussytoes)
  • Antennaria howellii Greene (Everlasting or Howell's Pussytoes)
• Subspecies: The text mentions subspecies such as Antennaria howellii Greene subsp. petaloidea (Fernald) Bayer, and Antennaria howellii ssp. canadensis (Greene) Bayer.
• Note: Several Antennaria species and subspecies are mentioned, highlighting the variability within the genus.

Common Names

• Littleleaf pussytoes
• Rosy pussytoes
• Pink pussytoes
• Small pussytoes
• Dwarf everlasting
• Catsfoot/Cat's-foot
• Pussytoes
• Everlasting
• Plantain-leaved pussy-toes/Ladies' Tobacco/Pussy-toe (Antennaria plantaginifolia)
• Howell's Pussytoes (Antennaria howellii)
• Nuttall's Pussytoes

Distribution and Habitat

• Antennaria microphylla is described as a highly variable plant of dry sites.
• Antennaria howellii is native to northern North America, from Alaska east.
• Plantain-leaved Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia) has been found in most of the indicated region.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Antennaria microphylla is a stoloniferous perennial forb, meaning it spreads via stolons (horizontal stems).
• It forms a mat of leaves, typically only an inch or two high.
• Flower stalks grow from this mat, topped with a small, tight flower cluster.
• The plant is noted for its gray foliage.
• Some species, like Antennaria parvifolia, are grown for their foliage and reach about 6 inches tall in flower.
• Leaves are often small, woolly, and white underneath.
• Flowers are small and clustered at the tips of stalks, with colors ranging from white to off-white.

Quirky Facts

• The common name "pussytoes" comes from the small, fuzzy flower heads that resemble a kitten's toes.
• Female flowers mature and "explode" in a fluff.