Sweet Cudweed, Old-Field Balsam, Life-Everlasting, Rabbit Tobacco, Indian Posy, Cat's Foot

This strange new plant appeared in my garden after I had lived here 20 years. Researching it revealed the name Catfoot. It behaves as a...Read More biennial in zone 6 southeastern PA. It grew to 2 feet in height and was quite attractive for many months. At first I was impatient to see what all the tight little buds would open into, but I finally realized they themselves were the show.

The year one basal rosette resembles Lamb's Ear or Lychnis at first glance. I grew some in winter jugs in 2011 and they took readily. The stems are quite pale and blossoms resemble the toes of a cat.

The other common name of 'Sweet Everlasting' is also appropriate.

Sweet Cudweed, Old-Field Balsam, Life-Everlasting, Rabbit Tobacco, Indian Posy, Cat's Foot Gnaphalium obtusifolium, is native to Texas an...Read Mored other States, and is a larval host for the Painted Lady butterfly.

The leaves and flowers (chewed or in tea) were traditionally used to treat sore throat, pneumonia, colds, fevers, upset stomach, abdomina...Read Morel cramps, asthma, flu, coughs, rheumatism, bowel disorders, mouth ulcers, hemorrage, and tumors. Was also used as a mild nerve sedative, diuretic, and antispasmotic. The fresh juice was considered an aphrodisiac.