Family: Amaranthaceae
Author: (Hook.) Moq.
Bibliography: A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 13(2): 420 (1849)
Year: 1849
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Froelichia
Vegetable: False
Observations: WC. & C. U.S.A. to N. Mexico
Description
Slender snake-cotton, known scientifically as Froelichia gracilis, is a fascinating plant species that belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. Described first by A.P. de Candolle in his 1849 volume “Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis,” this plant has drawn interest for its unique morphology and widespread presence.
Native to West Central and Central United States extending to Northern Mexico, Slender snake-cotton thrives in a variety of environments. It often prefers open, sunny locales where it can take advantage of the natural light to fuel its growth. This species is particularly adapted to dry, sandy, or rocky soils, making it a resilient and hardy addition to the landscapes it inhabits.
Froelichia gracilis is characterized by its slender, snake-like appearance, from which its common name is derived. The plant usually features narrow leaves and elongated flower spikes that give it a distinctive look. These flower spikes contain small, inconspicuous flowers that can sometimes be overlooked due to their size but nonetheless play a crucial role in the plant’s reproductive cycle.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, slender snake-cotton serves an ecological role in its native habitats. It contributes to the local biodiversity and provides a food source for various pollinators. Its adaptability to different types of soil makes it an important species for soil stabilization, helping to prevent erosion in the regions where it grows.
Research by botanists such as Moquin-Tandon (Moq.) has further enriched our understanding of this plant. While it may not be the most conspicuous plant in its native range, slender snake-cotton’s subtle beauty and ecological importance make it a species worthy of attention and study.
Common Names
Eng: slender cottonweed, slender snake-cotton, slender snakecotton, slender froelichia
Hun: karcsú froelich-virág*
Fra: froelichie grêle
En: Slender snake-cotton, Slender cottonweed, Slender snakecotton, Slender froelichia
Fr: Froelichie grêle
Hu: Karcsú Froelich-virág*
Synonyms
- Oplotheca texana (A.Braun)
- Oplotheca gracilis (Hook.)
- Froelichia texana ((A.Braun) Small)
- Froelichia braunii (Standl.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Texas (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- California (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Senegal (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Sep 5, 2019 by Vannah Savannah (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 22, 2015 by EOL − Linda Jo Conn (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 27, 2015 by EOL − Nicholas Martinez (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 13, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)
Leaf
Taken Jul 18, 2021 by Feya Sterling (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2018 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 2, 2021 by sandy pardes (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 8, 2021 by sandy pardes (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Pier Jackson (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 16, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 27, 2015 by EOL − Jim Varnum (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 13, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 13, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 26, 2014 by EOL − Richard Reynolds (cc-by-nc)
Fruit
Taken Sep 7, 2018 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384324)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1034070-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Froelichia gracilis (Hook.) Moq.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
