Source: Wikipedia
| Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Pseudognaphalium |
| Species: | P. obtusifolium
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| Binomial name | |
| Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, synonyms including Gnaphalium obtusifolium and Pseudognaphalium saxicola, is a member of the family Asteraceae.[1] It is found on open dry sandy habitat throughout eastern North America. Common names include old field balsam, rabbit tobacco, sweet everlasting[citation needed] and life everlasting.[2] When crushed, the plant exudes a characteristic maple-syrup scent.[citation needed]
Description
[edit]It is a biennial herb which grows up to one meter tall. In its first year, the plant produces tightly packed rosettes covered in wooly hair. In the second year, the plant produces a tall stem with alternate leaves and yellow peg-shaped flowerheads. These are borne in clusters. The seeds are dispersed by the wind. Its native habitats include dry clearings, fields, and edges of woods.[3]
Taxonomy
[edit]Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Gnaphalium obtusifolium. It was transferred to Pseudognaphalium in 1981.[1]
Populations found in the state of Wisconsin growing on ledges and in cracks in shaded limestone cliff-faces, usually those facing south or east, have been described as Pseudognaphalium saxicola, common name cliff cudweed or rabbit-tobacco.[4][5] Pseudognaphalium saxicola is listed as Threatened in Wisconsin and is assessed as T2 (Imperiled) by NatureServe,[6][7] but is regarded by other sources as a synonym of Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium.[1]
Uses by Native Americans
[edit]Alabama tribe
[edit]The Alabama tribe used a compound decoction of it as a treatment for nervousness and sleepiness,[8] and a decoction as a face wash for nerves and insomnia.[9]
Cherokee
[edit]The Cherokee use it in a compound for muscle cramps, local pains, and twitching,[10] and apply an infusion of it over scratches made over muscle cramp pain.[9] It is also used internally with Carolina Vetch for rheumatism.[10] A decoction is taken for colds, and the plant is also made into cough syrup.[10] It is used in a sweat bath to treat various diseases, made into a warm liquid blown down throat for clogged throat (diphtheria), chewed for a sore mouth or throat, and smoked for asthma.[10]
Choctaw
[edit]The Choctaw use a decoction of leaves and blossoms taken for lung pain[9][11] and colds.[9][11]
Creek
[edit]The Creek add the leaves to medicines as a perfume,[12] use a decoction to treat vomiting,[12] as a throat washes for mumps,[9] as a wash "for people who wanted to run away" and as a wash for people who are believed to be afflicted by ghosts.[8] A decoction made of the plant tops are used as a wash for old people who are unable to sleep.[12] They also use a compound decoction of plant tops as an inhalant for colds, and apply a poultice of decoction of leaves for the throat for mumps.[12]
Koasati
[edit]The Koasati take a decoction of the leaves for fevers, and use it to bathe those who are feverish.[9]
Menominee
[edit]The Menominee steam the dried leaves as an inhalant for headaches, and as a treatment against "foolishness".[13] They also smudge the leaves and use them to fumigate premises to dispel ghosts,[14] and to bring back "loss of mind". This smudge is also used to revive unconscious patients.[15] The leaf smoke is blown into the nostrils of people who have fainted.[14]
Montagnais
[edit]The Montagnais use a decoction of the plant for coughing and tuberculosis.[16]
Rappahannock
[edit]The Rappahannock Tribe take an infusion of the roots for chills, smoke dried leaves or dried stems in a pipe for asthma, and chew the leaves for "fun".[17]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (L.) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- ^ Graedon, Terry (May 5, 2025). "Do You Know This Surprisingly Versatile 'Life Everlasting' Herb?". People's Pharmacy. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org.
- ^ Flora of North America
- ^ Nesom, G. L. 2004d. Pseudognaphalium canescens(Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) and putative relatives in western North America. Sida 21: 781–790.
- ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
- ^ "Cliff Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium saxicola) - Wisconsin DNR". dnr.wi.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
- ^ a b Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (pp. 663, 664)
- ^ a b c d e f Taylor, Linda Averill 1940 Plants Used As Curatives by Certain Southeastern Tribes. Cambridge, MA. Botanical Museum of Harvard University (p. 61)
- ^ a b c d Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (pp. 51, 52)
- ^ a b Bushnell, Jr., David I. 1909 The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. SI-BAE Bulletin #48 (p. 24)
- ^ a b c d Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
- ^ Densmore, Francis 1932 Menominee Music. SI-BAE Bulletin #102 (p. 129)
- ^ a b Smith, Huron H. 1923 Ethnobotany of the Menomini Indians. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 4:1-174 (p. 30)
- ^ Smith, Huron H. 1928 Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 4:175-326 (pp. 214, 215)
- ^ Speck, Frank G. 1917 Medicine Practices of the Northeastern Algonquians. Proceedings of the 19th International Congress of Americanists pp. 303–321 (314)
- ^ Speck, Frank G., R.B. Hassrick and E.S. Carpenter 1942 Rappahannock Herbals, Folk-Lore and Science of Cures. Proceedings of the Delaware County Institute of Science 10:7-55. (p. 29)
Further reading
[edit]- Clemants, Steve and Gracie, Carol Wildflowers in the Field and Forest: A Field Guide to the Northeastern United States Oxford University Press 2006. 294:5
- Yatskievych, Kay Field Guide to Indiana Wildflowers Indiana University Press 2000. 229:1149