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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.

Antennaria alpina

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.

Antennaria howellii

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.

Antennaria marginata

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.

Antennaria microphylla

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.

Antennaria microphylla
Antennaria microphylla
Antennaria parviflora

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.

Antennaria pulcherrima

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.

White/Cream Round Clusters