2. Pseudognaphalium micradenium (Weath.) G.L. Nesom (rabbit tobacco)
Gnaphalium
obtusifolium var. micradenium
Weath.
G. helleri var. micradenium (Weath.) Mahler
P. helleri var. micradenium (Weath.) Kartesz
Map 1139
Plants usually
strongly aromatic when bruised or crushed. Stems 25–75 cm long, sometimes
somewhat woolly when young, but not appearing woolly below the inflorescence at
maturity, instead moderately to densely glandular, the minute, stalked glands
0.1–0.2 mm long. Leaves 1–9 cm long, linear to narrowly lanceolate or narrowly
oblong-lanceolate, the upper surface with moderate to dense, minute, stalked
glands. August–October.
Uncommon, known
thus far only from Shannon and Ste. Genevieve Counties (eastern U.S. west to
Minnesota and Louisiana). Savannas and openings of dry upland forests.
Steyermark
(1963) noted that this taxon occurs in acidic soils on rocky slopes and
ridgetops. Some authors have treated it as a variety of Gnaphalium
obtusifolium (Steyermark, 1963) or the closely related G. helleri
(Mahler, 1975). The present treatment follows that of Nesom (2001), who noted
that the ranges of P. helleri and P. micradenium are largely
distinct and that hybrids appear to be absent from the zone of overlap between
the two.