Pussytoes (6)
The flower heads of the Antennaria genus grow in a tightly packed cluster which, from above, resemble a cat's paw, so it was given the common name Pussytoes. Flower heads have only disk flowers. See also Rosy Pussytoes.
Alpine Pussytoes
Antennaria alpina (A. media)
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
July 16, 2006
Location:
Green Lake - Irwin, CO
Life Zones:
Alpine
Habitat:
Dry meadows and scree
Grows to 4" from a mat of grey-green leaves. Flower heads have blackish green bracts.
Flora of North America reference.
Howell's Pussytoes
Antennaria howellii
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
May 29, 2016
Location:
Wet Mountains, Eastern CO
Life Zones:
Foothills to subalpine
Habitat:
Moist meadows
Grows 6" to 12" with larger (1"+) spoon-shaped leaves that have a prominent central vein and are green on top. Stems leaves are narrow and clasping. Bracts are white.
Flora of North America reference.
White-Margin Pussytoes
Antennaria marginata
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
June 15, 2019
Location:
FS Rd 137, Carson NF, NM
Life Zones:
Foothills to montane
Habitat:
Ponderosa and piñon woodlands
Grows to 2" to 8" with spatula-shaped leaves that have a pointed tip. The leaves are green on top and the white hairs underneath show as a white margin. Flower heads have 5 to 8 flowers with white bracts.
Flora of North America reference.
Littleleaf Pussytoes
Antennaria microphylla
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Tiny-leaved Pussytoes, Dwarf Everlasting
Photo taken on:
August 11, 2023
Location:
Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery, GV, CO
Life Zones:
Foothills to subalpine
Habitat:
Moist open areas, flood plains
Stems up to 12" high grow from a mat of tiny grey-green leaves ¼" to ½" long. Stem leaves are longer and narrow. Flower heads have 6 to 13 flowers with white bracts.
Below the leaves compared to a penny and a close up of the flower head.
Flora of North America reference.
Small-leaf Pussytoes
Antennaria parvifolia
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Sunloving Pussytoes, Catsfoot
Photo taken on:
June 16, 2007
Location:
Copper Creek Trail, GV, CO
Life Zones:
Foothills to subalpine
Habitat:
Dry meadows and slopes
Stems to 6" high, usually less, grow from a mat of grey-green leaves. Flower heads of 2 to 7 flowers appear when stems are only 2" high.
Flora of North America reference.
Tall Pussytoes
Antennaria pulcherrima subsp. anaphaloides
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Showy Pussytoes, Handsome Pussytoes
Photo taken on:
May 27, 2006
Location:
Almont Triangle, CO
Life Zones:
Foothills to subalpine
Habitat:
Moist meadows
Grows to 12" high, not in a mat. Leaves are long with three prominent veins.
Flora of North America reference.