Rocky Mountain Pussytoes
Antennaria media
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © tellimachris (iNaturalist #128857873)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Antennaria
- Species:
- Antennaria media
- USDA Symbol:
- ANME2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, native bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Erratic germination common.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).