Rocky Mountain Pussytoes

Antennaria media

Rocky Mountain Pussytoes

Jim Morefield from Nevada, USA

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Antennaria
Species:
Antennaria media

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
6 in - 1 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
White, Red, Yellow
Ground Cover:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained, low fertility soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to alpine and subalpine regions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed into 80 to 150 day cold, moist stratification.

Establishment: Seeds are collected in late August at high elevations when achenes are easily separated from receptacle. Seeds are black at maturity. Seeds are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed during the drying process and prior to cleaning. A. media is a circumboreal species, occurring in subalpine to alpinemeadows and slopes in stony soils.

Source: npn.rngr.net