Purple Cudweed

Gnaphalium purpureum

Weed Description
A low-growing summer or winter annual, or biennial, that forms a rosette of grayish green woolly foliage. Found throughout the United States but most common in the South.

Seedlings
Cotyledons smooth, grayish green, without petioles, rounded to oval, 1.5-2.5 mm long, 0.75-1 mm wide. Young leaves taper from the tip to a broad petiole.

Leaves
Arise from the rosette or connected to the elongating stem (cauline). Rosette leaves 4 inches long, approximately 3/4 inch wide. Stem leaves alternate, grayish-white and woolly, without petioles (sessile), and progressively reduced in size moving up the stem. Leaf margins may be wavy or without teeth (entire).

Stems
Elongating stems from the rosette do not usually branch and are grayish-white and woolly in appearance.

Flowers
Occur in clusters at the ends of the stems. Each flower is small, tannish-white with bracts that are light brown, pink or purple.

Fruit
An achene with an attached bristly pappus to aide in weed dispersal.

Roots
Taproot with a secondary fibrous root system.

Identifying Characteristics
Stems and foliage with distinct white-woolly foliage.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Purple Cudweed

Gnaphalium purpureum