The plant Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, formally known as Sweet Everlasting, is commonly referred to as “Cotton Mouth Weed.” This herbaceous species belongs to the Asteraceae family and is recognized by folk names such as Rabbit Tobacco and Old Field Balsam. The unusual common name is not related to the symptom of dry mouth but rather to the plant’s distinctive physical texture. The focus of this plant’s identity lies in its unique appearance and its extensive history of traditional use across North America.
Botanical Identity and Physical Characteristics
Sweet Everlasting is an annual or biennial herb that typically grows to a height of one to three feet, featuring a single, stiffly erect stem. The plant is instantly recognizable by the dense white, woolly hairs that cover its stems and the undersides of its narrow, elliptical leaves. This thick, cotton-like coating, known as tomentum, is responsible for the “cotton” portion of its common name.
The leaves are silvery-green, with the upper surface sometimes being less hairy, and are arranged alternately along the stem. In its first year, the plant often forms a low-lying rosette of fuzzy basal leaves before sending up its main flowering stalk in the second year. The common name “Cotton Mouth Weed” likely arose from the feeling of touching the plant’s soft, cottony foliage.
The flower heads are small and appear in clusters at the top of the stem during late summer and early fall, often from August to October. These tiny, inconspicuous disk flowers are yellowish or brownish, wrapped in layers of dry, papery, pearly-white or yellowish-white bracts. These durable bracts persist long after the flowers have faded, contributing to the name “Everlasting” due to their ability to hold their shape and color when dried.
Historical and Traditional Applications
Sweet Everlasting has a documented history of application in traditional North American medicine and cultural practices, particularly among various Indigenous groups and early settlers. One of its most frequent uses was for treating respiratory ailments, with decoctions or infusions of the dried leaves and flowers used to soothe colds, coughs, and sore throats. These preparations were valued for their expectorant and mild antispasmodic properties, helping to alleviate symptoms of chest congestion.
The plant was also utilized externally, often prepared as a poultice applied to the skin to address minor wounds, bruises, and other localized inflammations. Its astringent qualities were sometimes employed in a masticatory form, where the herb was chewed to treat mouth sores or ulcerations of the throat. The aromatic nature of the plant led to its use as an incense or smudge.
The common name “Rabbit Tobacco” arose from the practice of smoking the dried leaves, either alone or mixed with other herbs, for medicinal or ceremonial purposes. Additionally, the dried foliage’s pleasant, balsamic scent made it useful in the home as a freshener and a natural repellent for moths when stored with clothes.
Habitat and Field Identification
Sweet Everlasting is native to a large portion of Eastern and Central North America, ranging from Eastern Canada down to Florida and west to states like Nebraska and Texas. It is a resilient plant that prefers sunny, open environments with dry, often poor-quality soil. Typical habitats include old fields, open woodlands, clearings, pastures, and disturbed sites such as roadsides and railroad embankments.
The plant’s lifecycle is typically annual or biennial, meaning it germinates and grows in one to two seasons, often overwintering as a basal rosette of leaves. A practical method for confirming its identity in the field is through its distinct fragrance. When the leaves or stems are crushed, the plant releases a characteristic, pleasant aroma that is described as sweet, balsamic, or similar to maple syrup.
This unique and sweet odor, which intensifies as the plant dries, serves as a key characteristic for distinguishing it from similar-looking species. The plant can be located by looking for the silvery-white, erect stalks with their clusters of pearly-bracted flowers. These are found growing in dry, sunny, and sometimes sandy locations during the late summer and fall months.