Plant Details

Antennaria plantaginifolia

Pussytoes

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Pussytoes is grown for its basal rosette of soft velvety leaves. Small bees and flies pollinate the small white spring blooming flowers.

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Description:

Pussytoes is typically grown for its basal rosette of soft velvety leaves. A central stem bears the inflorescence – a cluster of 3-6 either all male (staminate) or all female (pistillate) white to pale-pink flowers. The closed buds resemble toes of a cat, by which the plant is named.  The flower stalks will grow to about a foot in height. The flowers bloom in late spring, from April-June, lasting 2-3 weeks. Pussytoes prefers full sun to partial shade, and average to dry conditions. Soil can be sandy, rocky or loamy. The plants are pollinated both by wind and by insects. Spreading by rhizomes, Pussytoes provide a good ground cover for dry areas and rock gardens. Deer and rabbits may be deterred by the poisonous properties of the plant. Grow as a groundcover, in a rock garden, or along the edges of your flowerbeds and woodland edges.

Wildlife Value: Caterpillar larvae of the American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginensis) depend on the plant as a food source. Pollinators include small bees such as Andrenid, Halictid and cuckoo bees, as well as Syrphid, Muscid, flesh and blow flies. Bobwhite Quail feed on the seeds, to a limited extent.

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