Purple Cudweed

Gnaphalium purpureum

Purple Cudweed is a biennial broadleaf weed that can also grow as a summer or winter annual broadleaf weed. This extremely versatile plant is also known as Cudweed, Chafe-weed, Catfoot, Rabbit Tobacco, Everlasting and Gnaphalium purpureum.

Identify

Alternate

Entire

Linear

Purple Cudweed can be identified as a low-growing broadleaf weed forming a rosette of distinctly white, woolly foliage. The plant features elongating stems arising from the rosette that do not usually branch and are generally white and woolly. Its leaves are also white and woolly with wavy margins. Purple Cudweed has a taproot with a secondary fibrous root system. Blooming from April through June, Purple Cudweed produces purple flowers forming on small flower heads. Reproduction occurs by seeds.

Life Cycle

This broadleaf weed commonly grows in cultivated fields, abandoned fields, prairies, thickets, rocky terrain, along stream banks and in open woods, lawns and gardens. Purple Cudweed can be found throughout much of the United States.

Control

Gnaphalium purpureum can be found in a number of different soils and climates and is often found in lawns and gardens. The weed will not be able to compete in a well-maintained lawn, so cultural weed control methods, such as proper watering, mowing and fertilization, are recommended for prevention. However, once this weed is present in your lawn, professionally applied broadleaf weed killers may be necessary for removal.