Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Pseudognaphalium
Species:	P. obtusifolium
Binomial name
	Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium; (L.) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
Synonyms
	Gnaphalium conoideum Lam. ; Gnaphalium obtusifolium L. ; Gnaphalium polycephalum Michx. ; Gnaphalium saxicola Fassett ; Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium subsp. praecox (Fernald) Kartesz, nom. nud. ; Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium subsp. saxicola (Fassett) Kartesz ; Pseudognaphalium saxicola (Fassett) H.E.Ballard & Feller ;

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, synonyms including Gnaphalium obtusifolium and Pseudognaphalium saxicola, is a member of the family Asteraceae.^[1] It is found on open dry sandy habitat throughout eastern North America. Common names include old field balsam, rabbit tobacco and sweet everlasting. When crushed, the plant exudes a characteristic maple-syrup scent.^{[citation needed]}

Description

It is a biennial herb which grows up to one meter tall. In its first year, the plant produces tightly packed rosettes covered in wooly hair. In the second year, the plant produces a tall stem with alternate leaves and yellow peg-shaped flowerheads. These are borne in clusters. The seeds are dispersed by the wind. Its native habitats include dry clearings, fields, and edges of woods.^[2]

Taxonomy

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Gnaphalium obtusifolium. It was transferred to Pseudognaphalium in 1981.^[1]

Populations found in the state of Wisconsin growing on ledges and in cracks in shaded limestone cliff-faces, usually those facing south or east, have been described as Pseudognaphalium saxicola, common name cliff cudweed or rabbit-tobacco.^[3]^[4] Pseudognaphalium saxicola is listed as Threatened in Wisconsin and is assessed as T2 (Imperiled) by NatureServe,^[5]^[6] but is regarded by other sources as a synonym of Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium.^[1]

Uses by Native Americans

Alabama tribe

The Alabama tribe used a compound decoction of it as a treatment for nervousness and sleepiness,^[7] and a decoction as a face wash for nerves and insomnia.^[8]

Cherokee

The Cherokee use it in a compound for muscle cramps, local pains, and twitching,^[9] and apply an infusion of it over scratches made over muscle cramp pain.^[8] It is also used internally with Carolina Vetch for rheumatism.^[9] A decoction is taken for colds, and the plant is also made into cough syrup.^[9] It is used in a sweat bath to treat various diseases, made into a warm liquid blown down throat for clogged throat (diphtheria), chewed for a sore mouth or throat, and smoked for asthma.^[9]

Choctaw

The Choctaw use a decoction of leaves and blossoms taken for lung pain^[8]^[10] and colds.^[8]^[10]

Creek

The Creek add the leaves to medicines as a perfume,^[11] use a decoction to treat vomiting,^[11] as a throat washes for mumps,^[8] as a wash "for people who wanted to run away" and as a wash for people who are believed to be afflicted by ghosts.^[7] A decoction made of the plant tops are used as a wash for old people who are unable to sleep.^[11] They also use a compound decoction of plant tops as an inhalant for colds, and apply a poultice of decoction of leaves for the throat for mumps.^[11]

Koasati

The Koasati take a decoction of the leaves for fevers, and use it to bathe those who are feverish.^[8]

Menominee

The Menominee steam the dried leaves as an inhalant for headaches, and as a treatment against "foolishness".^[12] They also smudge the leaves and use them to fumigate premises to dispel ghosts,^[13] and to bring back "loss of mind". This smudge is also used to revive unconscious patients.^[14] The leaf smoke is blown into the nostrils of people who have fainted.^[13]

Montagnais

The Montagnais use a decoction of the plant for coughing and tuberculosis.^[15]

Rappahannock

The Rappahannock Tribe take an infusion of the roots for chills, smoke dried leaves or dried stems in a pipe for asthma, and chew the leaves for "fun".^[16]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (L.) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
^ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org.
^ Flora of North America
^ Nesom, G. L. 2004d. Pseudognaphalium canescens(Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) and putative relatives in western North America. Sida 21: 781–790.
^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
^ "Cliff Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium saxicola) - Wisconsin DNR". dnr.wi.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
^ ^a ^b Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (pp. 663, 664)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Taylor, Linda Averill 1940 Plants Used As Curatives by Certain Southeastern Tribes. Cambridge, MA. Botanical Museum of Harvard University (p. 61)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (pp. 51, 52)
^ ^a ^b Bushnell, Jr., David I. 1909 The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. SI-BAE Bulletin #48 (p. 24)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
^ Densmore, Francis 1932 Menominee Music. SI-BAE Bulletin #102 (p. 129)
^ ^a ^b Smith, Huron H. 1923 Ethnobotany of the Menomini Indians. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 4:1-174 (p. 30)
^ Smith, Huron H. 1928 Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 4:175-326 (pp. 214, 215)
^ Speck, Frank G. 1917 Medicine Practices of the Northeastern Algonquians. Proceedings of the 19th International Congress of Americanists pp. 303–321 (314)
^ Speck, Frank G., R.B. Hassrick and E.S. Carpenter 1942 Rappahannock Herbals, Folk-Lore and Science of Cures. Proceedings of the Delaware County Institute of Science 10:7-55. (p. 29)