Description
Parlin’s Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii) is a low-growing, mat-forming native perennial commonly found in dry, open habitats across eastern and central North America. Named for its soft, silvery flower clusters that resemble a cat’s paw, this species typically grows just 4 to 10 inches tall and spreads by stolons to form small colonies. It features a basal rosette of gray-green, spoon-shaped leaves covered in fine hairs, which help reduce moisture loss. From April to June, it produces upright stems topped with tight clusters of white to pale pink, fuzzy flowers. Like other pussytoes, it is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.
Parlin’s Pussytoes thrives in full sun and dry, well-drained soils, including sandy or rocky substrates. It is well adapted to poor, infertile soils and tolerates drought and heat once established. Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8, it is a great choice for rock gardens, dry slopes, native groundcovers, and restoration projects in dry grasslands or open woods. Its spreading habit and dense growth make it useful for erosion control on hillsides and banks.
Ecologically, Antennaria parlinii is a larval host plant for the American Lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis), whose caterpillars feed on the foliage. Its flowers attract small native bees and flies seeking nectar and pollen. The plant’s tough, low-growing habit also provides shelter for ground-dwelling insects and small invertebrates, contributing to the health of dry meadow ecosystems.
