Biology:Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
| Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Pseudognaphalium |
| Species: | P. obtusifolium
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (L.) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, synonyms including Gnaphalium obtusifolium and Pseudognaphalium saxicola, is a member of the family Asteraceae.[2] 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.[3] When crushed, the plant exudes a characteristic maple-syrup scent.
Description
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.[4]
Taxonomy
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Gnaphalium obtusifolium. It was transferred to Pseudognaphalium in 1981.[2]
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.[5][6] Pseudognaphalium saxicola is listed as Threatened in Wisconsin and is assessed as T2 (Imperiled) by NatureServe,[7][8] but is regarded by other sources as a synonym of Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium.[2]
Uses by Native Americans
Alabama tribe
The Alabama tribe used a compound decoction of it as a treatment for nervousness and sleepiness,[9] and a decoction as a face wash for nerves and insomnia.[10]
Cherokee
The Cherokee use it in a compound for muscle cramps, local pains, and twitching,[11] and apply an infusion of it over scratches made over muscle cramp pain.[10] It is also used internally with Carolina Vetch for rheumatism.[11] A decoction is taken for colds, and the plant is also made into cough syrup.[11] 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.[11]
Choctaw
The Choctaw use a decoction of leaves and blossoms taken for lung pain[10][12] and colds.[10][12]
Creek
The Creek add the leaves to medicines as a perfume,[13] use a decoction to treat vomiting,[13] as a throat washes for mumps,[10] as a wash "for people who wanted to run away" and as a wash for people who are believed to be afflicted by ghosts.[9] A decoction made of the plant tops are used as a wash for old people who are unable to sleep.[13] 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.[13]
Koasati
The Koasati take a decoction of the leaves for fevers, and use it to bathe those who are feverish.[10]
Menominee
The Menominee steam the dried leaves as an inhalant for headaches, and as a treatment against "foolishness".[14] They also smudge the leaves and use them to fumigate premises to dispel ghosts,[15] and to bring back "loss of mind". This smudge is also used to revive unconscious patients.[16] The leaf smoke is blown into the nostrils of people who have fainted.[15]
Montagnais
The Montagnais use a decoction of the plant for coughing and tuberculosis.[17]
Rappahannock
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".[18]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium" (in en). https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.148468/Pseudognaphalium_obtusifolium.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (L.) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:909626-1.
- ↑ Graedon, Terry (May 5, 2025). "Do You Know This Surprisingly Versatile 'Life Everlasting' Herb?". People's Pharmacy. https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/do-you-know-this-surprisingly-versatile-life-everlasting-herb.
- ↑ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PSOB3.
- ↑ 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". https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.143467/Pseudognaphalium_obtusifolium_ssp_saxicola.
- ↑ "Cliff Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium saxicola) - Wisconsin DNR". https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/Plants.asp?mode=detail&SpecCode=PDAST440G3.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (pp. 663, 664)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Taylor, Linda Averill 1940 Plants Used As Curatives by Certain Southeastern Tribes. Cambridge, MA. Botanical Museum of Harvard University (p. 61)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 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)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Bushnell, Jr., David I. 1909 The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. SI-BAE Bulletin #48 (p. 24)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 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)
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 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
- 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
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