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Asteraceae
Arnoglossum

not marked as a favorite taxon Arnoglossum atriplicifolium (Linnaeus) H. Robinson. Common name: Pale Indian-plantain. Phenology: Jun-Oct. Habitat: Mesic forests, open woodlands and woodland edges, clearings, prairies, meadows. Distribution: NY, MN, and NE south to Panhandle FL and LA (attribution to MA is in error, A.Haines, pers.comm.).

Glossary (beta!)

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Fl7, FNA20, Il, K4, Mi, Mo2, NY, Ok, Pa, Tn, Va, WH3, Anderson (1998), Barkley (1999); = Cacalia atriplicifolia L. — C, F, G, GrPl, Oh3, RAB, SE1, Tat, W, Pippen (1978); = Mesadenia atriplicifolia (L.) Raf. — S. Basionym: Cacalia atriplicifolia L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Arnoglossum atriplicifolium - FNA20

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Heliophily ⓘ: 5

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image #1 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Keith Bradley
image #2 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #3 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #4 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
image #5 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Bruce Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image #6 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #7 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #8 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Grant Morrow Parkins | Original Image ⭷
image #9 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #11 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Grant Morrow Parkins | Original Image ⭷
image #12 of Arnoglossum atriplicifolium© Edwin Bridges | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Coarse, erect perennial of mesic forests, woodland edges, clearings, prairies and meadows.

Stems: Stems faintly ribbed, unbranched, pale green and waxy, often reddish-purple above, smooth.

Leaves: Leaves basal and alternate on the stem, petiolate, oval to kidney- or fan-shaped, 2-7 in. long and to 12 in. wide (reduced upward), thick, with pointed lobes or coarse teeth, green above and pale-green to white beneath.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in clusters of 4-15 in a large, flat-topped, compound terminal cluster; heads on light green stems, cream to greenish-white or pale purple, about 1/3 in. long, consisting of 5 cylindrical disk florets with protruding split styles. A cylindrical tube of light green bracts surrounds each head.

Fruits: Fruit a white-tufted, oblong achene.

Comments:

Height: 3-8 ft.

plant sale text: The "pale" of this plant refers to the stems and lower leaf surfaces being covered with a soft white "bloom". Fan-shaped basal leaves (to 12" wide) are thick, leathery, and coarsely toothed and lobed, somewhat resembling very large sycamore leaves. The bright flat-topped flowers crowning the tall strong central stalk catch sunlight and attract small bees. Stems may be cut back to the basal foliage after bloom to encourage a lower, secondary bloom. This underused native is perfect in the back of a flower border.

bloom table text:

description: Coarse, erect perennial of mesic forests, woodland edges, clearings, prairies and meadows.

stems: Stems faintly ribbed, unbranched, pale green and waxy, often reddish-purple above, smooth.

leaves: Leaves basal and alternate on the stem, petiolate, oval to kidney- or fan-shaped, 2-7 in. long and to 12 in. wide (reduced upward), thick, with pointed lobes or coarse teeth, green above and pale-green to white beneath.

inflorescence:

flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in clusters of 4-15 in a large, flat-topped, compound terminal cluster; heads on light green stems, cream to greenish-white or pale purple, about 1/3 in. long, consisting of 5 cylindrical disk florets with protruding split styles. A cylindrical tube of light green bracts surrounds each head.

fruits: Fruit a white-tufted, oblong achene.

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cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern & central United States