Pseudognaphalium biolettii
two-color rabbit tobacco
California, southwestern United States, and northwestern Mexico
Overview
Pseudognaphalium biolettii is a short-lived perennial or biennial herb in the family Asteraceae, growing 8-32 inches (20-80 cm) tall from a branched, woolly-stemmed base. The herbage is two-toned: upper leaf surfaces are green and sparsely hairy while the undersides are densely white-woolly, giving the plant its common name. Leaves are narrow, 0.8-2.4 inches (2-6 cm) long, with edges that roll under, and they release a maple-syrup or curry-like scent when crushed. Small flower heads cluster at the stem tips, each head 0.2-0.3 inch (4-7 mm) long and enclosed by papery, off-white to tan bracts that surround tiny yellowish disc florets. There are no ray petals; the papery bracts form the visible flower. It grows on dry, rocky slopes, coastal bluffs, and chaparral in full sun. Plants flower in their first or second year, set wind-dispersed seed, and then decline. One limitation is the short lifespan and open, weedy habit, which give it only a brief presence in any planting.
Native Range
Pseudognaphalium biolettii is native to California, the southwestern United States, and northwestern Mexico, including Baja California. It grows in coastal scrub, chaparral, and dry rocky slopes below about 3,000 feet (900 m).Suggested Uses
Pseudognaphalium biolettii is used in native, pollinator, and dry-garden plantings, on rocky banks, and in coastal scrub restoration. Its woolly foliage suits low-water and habitat gardens. The short lifespan makes it a filler among longer-lived plants rather than a permanent feature.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'8"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
off-white to tanFoliage Description
green above, white-woolly belowGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Pseudognaphalium biolettii grows in full sun on dry, rocky, fast-draining soils and tolerates poor, sandy, or gravelly ground. It needs little or no summer water once established and rots in wet, heavy soil. The woolly foliage withstands heat, wind, and coastal salt spray. As a short-lived plant it relies on self-sown seedlings to persist in a garden. It has few pests, though aphids may gather on new growth. Established plants need no fertilizer.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Spent stems can be cut back after seed disperses to tidy the plant, though leaving some seed heads allows self-sowing. Plants are usually replaced as they decline after flowering.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing