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Plantain-leaf Pussytoes

Antennaria plantaginifolia

Found in dry woodlands, roadside banks, cemeteries, pastures. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

29
Good

Native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 100%

Height
4–6 inches
Spread
1–2 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist

Space about 1.5 ft apart from its recorded spread, about 44 per 100 sq ft. Enter your bed size for a count

Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Leaves
Semi-evergreen
Bloom
March and May
Fruiting season
Spring to summer

Recorded in 100 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Dry forests and woodlands

Forests and open woodlands on dry ridges and slopes, often oak or pine.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Virginia. Shared habitat, not food. 106 animals.

All wildlife of Virginia

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

3CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Antennaria

  • Vanessa virginiensisAmerican Lady
  • Herpetogramma pertextalisBold-Feathered Grass Moth
  • Agonopterix nebulosa
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
5BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Antennaria

  • Bonasa umbellusRuffed Grouse
  • Centrocercus urophasianusGreater Sage-Grouse
  • Dendragapus obscurusDusky Grouse
  • Lagopus leucuraWhite-tailed Ptarmigan
  • Tympanuchus phasianellusSharp-tailed Grouse
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Beetles 1
  • Asclera ruficollis

Flower visits · Carlinville, Illinois, USA

Flies 7
  • Empis otiosa
  • Gonia exul
  • Limnophora narona
  • Morellia micans
  • Orthoneura nitida
  • Rhamphomyia priapulus
  • Sphaerophoria cylindrica

Flower visits · Carlinville, Illinois, USA

Adult butterflies / moths 5
  • Drasteria erechtea
  • Loxostege similalis
  • Thanaos brizo
  • Thanaos juvenalis
  • Vanessa huntera

Flower visits · Carlinville, Illinois, USA

No records yet · Ants · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Asteraceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–8b
Soil pH
Acidic to neutral
Flower color
Brown/copper, green or white
Fruit begins
Spring
Fruit ends
Summer

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Antennaria plantaginifolia var. plantaginifolia; Ladies Tobacco; Plantain Pussytoes; Plantain leaf Pussytoes

Conservation status

Virginia rankS5
Global rankG5
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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How to check your spot

Growing cautions

For planning only; these do not change the score or Fit.

Sources