Field pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta, Pittonia 3(16): 173 (1897))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Greene

Bibliography: Pittonia 3(16): 173 (1897)

Year: 1897

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Antennaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic America to U.S.A.

Description

Field pussytoes, scientifically known as Antennaria neglecta, are an intriguing species of flowering plants that belong to the Asteraceae family. This species was first described in 1897, with comprehensive details provided in the publication Pittonia 3(16): 173 by the author Greene.

Field pussytoes are predominantly found in regions spanning from Subarctic areas of America to various parts of the United States. These hardy perennials thrive in a range of environments, often favoring open fields, prairies, and meadows where they can bask in full sunlight.

The plant is easily recognizable by its dense, mat-forming growth habit, with slender, woolly stems that contribute to its common name. The leaves of Field pussytoes are small, spoon-shaped, and covered in fine hairs, giving them a soft, silvery appearance. This unique foliage not only adds to the plant’s appeal but also helps conserve moisture, allowing it to endure drier conditions.

In the spring, Field pussytoes produce small, clustered flower heads, which are typically white or pale pink. These flowers are dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The male flowers are slightly more conspicuous, but both genders contribute to the plant’s reproductive success through wind pollination.

Field pussytoes play a vital role in their natural habitats, offering both ecological and aesthetic benefits. They provide ground cover that helps prevent soil erosion and serve as a food source for various pollinators and herbivores. Moreover, their understated beauty makes them a charming addition to naturalistic gardens and wildflower meadows.

Whether encountered in the wild or cultivated for landscaping purposes, Antennaria neglecta stands out as a testament to the elegance and resilience of North America’s native flora.

Common Names

Eng: field pussytoes, field pussy-toes, prairie pussytoes
Fra: antennaire négligée
En: Field pussytoes, Lesser pussytoes, Field pussy-toes, Prairie pussytoes
Fr: Antennaire négligée
Oj: Gaaigebag

Synonyms

• Antennaria angustiarum (Lunell)
• Antennaria chelonica (Lunell)
• Antennaria erosa (Greene)
• Antennaria parvula (Greene)
• Antennaria athabascensis (Greene)
• Antennaria neglecta var. simplex (Peck)
• Antennaria neglecta var. athabascensis ((Greene) Roy L.Taylor & MacBryde)
• Antennaria campestris (Rydb.)
• Antennaria campestris var. athabascensis ((Greene) B.Boivin)
• Antennaria lunellii (Greene)
• Antennaria longifolia (Greene)
• Antennaria howellii var. campestris ((Rydb.) B.Boivin)
• Antennaria nebrascensis (Greene)
• Antennaria neglecta f. simplex ((Peck) Fernald)
• Antennaria neglecta var. campestris ((Rydb.) Steyerm.)
• Antennaria howellii var. athabascensis ((Greene) B.Boivin)
• Antennaria wilsonii (Greene)

Distribution

• Alberta (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Megan Miinch (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2020 by Summer Ruetz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2022 by Tonya (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2021 by Laura Mushumanski (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2020 by j g (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 13, 2012 by EOL − Ron Payne (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 2, 2016 by EOL − Jenny Smith (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 2, 2016 by EOL − Jenny Smith (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 2, 2016 by EOL − Jenny Smith (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 19, 2019 by Dale Kraus4 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by tufty_jam_bean (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by tufty_jam_bean (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by tufty_jam_bean (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2020 by Nicole Clark (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2022 by Tonya (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2022 by tmzante (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by tufty_jam_bean (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 2, 2021 by Rachel Torcedo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by tufty_jam_bean (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5385488)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:14759-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Antennaria neglecta Greene)

Specifications

Growth