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.).
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), (basionym); = Mesadenia atriplicifolia (L.) Raf. — S
Links to other floras: = Arnoglossum atriplicifolium - FNA20
Heliophily ⓘ: 5
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.











Feedback
See something wrong or missing on about Arnoglossum atriplicifolium? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months.
Horticultural Information
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.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern & central United States