Antennaria plantaginifolia is a perennial herb native to eastern North America, characterized by its cream-colored composite flowers that bloom in spring. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is commonly known as Ladies Tobacco. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1753 as G. plantaginifolium and later reclassified as Antennaria plantaginifolia by Richardson in 1823. The name is an illegitimate replacement for the original Linnaean name, and its typification has been the subject of taxonomic debate. A proposal to conserve the name with a specific type specimen was made by Reveal in 1991, but the Committee for Spermatophyta could not resolve the competing interpretations in 1994. Currently, the name is used in its accepted sense, following Robinson's typification based on pistillate specimens in the Linnaean herbarium.
Description
Antennaria plantaginifolia is found in a wide range across eastern North America, including regions such as Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Vermont, and parts of the United States. The species is part of the genus Antennaria, known for its mat-forming growth and small, composite flowers. Taxonomic discussions have focused on the correct application of the name, with competing views on the type material. Linnaeus originally described the species as G. plantaginifolium, but it was later reclassified under the genus Antennaria. The current accepted typification follows Robinson's interpretation, which designates specific pistillate specimens in the Linnaean herbarium as the type. Despite unresolved taxonomic issues, the name is currently used in its established sense.
Manitoba · New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Prince Edward Island · Quebec · Vermont-US · Alabama · Arkansas · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kentucky · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Oklahoma · Pennsylvania · Québec · Rhode I.
Synonyms
Antennaria nemoralisGnaphalium plantagineumAntennaria decipiensGnaphalium plantaginifolium var. plantaginifoliumAntennaria pinetorumAntennaria plantaginifoliaGnaphalium plantaginifoliumAntennaria carolinianaGnaphalium dioicum var. plantaginifoliumAntennaria plantaginifolia var. petiolataGnaphalium plantaginifolium var. parvifoliumAntennaria plantaginea var. petiolataAntennaria plantaginifolia var. plantaginifoliaDisynanthus plantagineusAntennaria denikeana
