# Woodland Cudweed (*Omalotheca sylvatica*)

Woodland Cudweed is a soft, fuzzy plant that grows in forests. It has small, white flowers that look like tiny stars and can be found in shady spots.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Woodland Cudweed](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gnaphalium_sylvaticum2010_07_25a.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Hajotthu, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gnaphalium_sylvaticum2010_07_25a.jpg)

## Appearance

The Woodland Cudweed has erect, slender stems covered in soft, gray-green, woolly leaves. Its small, button-like flower heads are clustered at the stem tops, displaying muted yellowish-brown tones. This plant often blends into the background with its unassuming, felt-like appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Omalotheca

## Interesting facts

- Despite its name, Woodland Cudweed often loves growing in sunny, disturbed open spots!
- Its name "cudweed" refers to how its fuzzy leaves resemble cud, sometimes fed to cattle!
- Its small, clustered flowers look like miniature bouquets peeking out from its felt-like leaves!
- These tiny plants are part of the huge daisy family, just like giant sunflowers!

## Special abilities

- **Woolly Coat Protection:** Woodland Cudweed has a dense layer of tiny hairs on its leaves that helps it survive dry conditions and harsh sun.
- **Seed Surfer:** Its lightweight seeds have a parachute-like structure, allowing them to ride on wind currents and spread far and wide.
- **Quick Colonizer:** Woodland Cudweed can rapidly grow in disturbed areas, quickly taking advantage of open ground where other plants struggle.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer to Fall
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Western Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — A common bee that aids in pollination.
- **Eaten by:** Red Slug (*Arion rufus*) — Slugs may graze on its leaves.

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch unknown plants, and ask an adult if you're curious!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Woodland Cudweed?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Woodland Cudweed?

10-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Woodland Cudweed?

0.3-0.5 cm

### When does Woodland Cudweed bloom?

Summer to Fall

### Is Woodland Cudweed edible?

No

### Is Woodland Cudweed toxic?

None

### What is Woodland Cudweed's lifecycle?

Annual

### How is Woodland Cudweed pollinated?

Insect

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Woodland Cudweed: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/woodland-cudweed)