Simple Stem Everlasting

Gamochaeta simplicicaulis was reported from North America by G. L. Nesom (1999b, 2000b) as an apparently recent adventive.

Annuals or biennials, (30–)50–85 cm; fibrous-rooted. Stems erect or ascending (usually 1, sometimes 2–5), densely and closely white-pannose. Leaves basal and cauline, basal usually withering before flowering, blades oblanceolate to oblanceolate-spatulate, 5–9 cm × 6–18 mm (gradually smaller distally, margins closely undulate, nearly crenulate; distal cauline linear-lanceolate to linear-oblanceolate, apices long-acute; sessile clusters of smaller leaves produced in axils of mid and distal cauline leaves), faces bicolor, abaxial closely white-pannose, adaxial glabrous (shiny). Heads in interrupted, spiciform arrays (8–)16–30 cm × 10–14 mm (pressed; sometimes with ascending, lateral branches, glomerules usually subtended by ± patent linear bracts longer than the glomerules). Involucres cylindro-campanulate, 3–3.5 mm, bases glabrous. Phyllaries in 4–6 series, outer ovate to oblong, lengths ¹/3–¹/2 inner, apices acute-acuminate, inner narrowly oblong, laminae brownish to tan (not purplish), apices acuminate-apiculate. Florets: bisexual (2–)3; all corollas yellowish distally. Cypselae (tan) 0.5–0.6 mm.

Gnaphalium simplicicaule Willdenow ex Sprengel, Syst. Veg. 3: 481. 1826; G. purpureum Linnaeus var. simplicicaule (Willdenow ex Sprengel) Klatt

Gamochaeta simplicicaulis, the simple-stem cudweed or simple-stem everlasting, is a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family. It is native to South America and has become naturalized in Australia, New Zealand, and the southeastern United States (from Alabama to Virginia).

Gamochaeta simplicicaulis is an annual herb up to 85 cm (33 in) tall. Leaves are up to 9 cm (3.5 in) long, green and hairless on the upper surface but appearing white on the underside because of many woolly hairs. The plant forms many small flower heads in elongated arrays and also in tightly packed clumps. Each head contains 2–3 yellow disc flowers but no ray flowers.