Family: Asteraceae
Pseudognaphalium attenuatum (tapered cudweed) is a taprooted annual herbs, 40-150 cm tall, widespread in the southern half of Mexico and through most of Central America. It also occurs in the West Indies (at least in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica) at elevations of 60-2200 meters in fields, secondary vegetation, woodlands of oak, oak-pine, and pine, and sometimes in subtropical forests. The leaves are narrow, linear to lanceolate, and often covered with fine, woolly hairs, giving them a silvery or grayish appearance.
It is currently reported to be naturalized on the islands of Maui and Hawaii, and could potentially compete with or threaten native plants where it occurs, but no negative impacts have been reported to date.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad elevation range
- Thrives and can spread in regions with tropical climates
- Naturalized on Maui and Hawaii
- Other species in the genus are reported to be weeds
- Unpalatable to grazing animals
- Tolerates many soil types (not limited by substrate)
- Reproduces by seed
- Presumably self-compatible (capable of self-fertilization and seed production)
- Reaches maturity in 1 growing season
- Seeds dispersed by wind and possibly as a seed or soil contaminant
Low Risk Traits:
- No negative impacts documented within native or naturalized range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Not reported to be toxic
- Grows best in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread)
