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Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium - (L.)Hilliard.&Burtt.

Common Name White Balsam, Rabbit-tobacco
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Pine woods and clearings[43] in dry open habitats[200].
Range Eastern N. America - Ontario to Georgia and Alabama.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium White Balsam, Rabbit-tobacco


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium White Balsam, Rabbit-tobacco
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Gnaphalium obtusifolium. L. G. polycephalum. Michx.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anaphrodisiac  Antiphlogistic  Antispasmodic  Astringent  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Expectorant  Sedative  
Vermifuge

The whole plant is anaphrodisiac, antiphlogistic, astringent, diaphoretic, expectorant, vermifuge[4, 61]. It is used internally in the treatment of throat ulcers, chest complaints, intestinal and respiratory catarrh etc and is also applied externally as a poultice to bruises, indolent tumours etc[4, 254]. A tea made from the leaves and flowers is a mild nerve sedative, diuretic and antispasmodic[222]. The fresh juice is considered to be aphrodisiac[222]. It is anaphrodisiac according to another report[4]. The aromatic dried flowers are used as a filling for pillows, having a sedative effect which is beneficial to consumptives[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[4]. This has proved to be of benefit in the treatment of sciatica, lumbago and some forms of arthritis[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Repellent  Stuffing

The plant is used as an insect repellent, it is placed in bedmats, books etc[178] and in the linen cupboard[207]. The flower heads are used as a stuffing material for mattresses[207].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a dry soil in an open sunny position[200]. Plants are sometimes grown in the wild garden[200]. The leaves have a pleasant aromatic smell and an aromatic, slightly bitter, astringent agreeable taste[4].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec (south), Nova Scotia, Ontario (southeast), Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota (east), Missouri, Nebraska (east), Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Hilliard.&Burtt.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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