Froelichia floridana is a species of flowering plant in the genus Froelichia, in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae).[2] It is known as prairie cottonweed,[3] Florida snakecotton[3], large cottonweed,[2] field snakecotton,[3] or plains snakecotton.[4] An annual, it produces white woolly flowers on tall flowering stalks, growing up to 40 in (1,000 mm) in height.[2][3] The narrowly oblanceolate to elliptic leaves are opposite, occurring on the lower third of the stem.[2] It grows in central and eastern North America, from the Great Plains to Mexico, east to the Atlantic Coast.[4][1] Its propensity to spread easily has resulted in it being considered an agricultural weed and it is an invasive species in Australia.[5]

  • Botanical illustration (1840)
    Botanical illustration (1840)
  • Flowerhead
    Flowerhead

References

  1. ^ a b "Froelichia floridana (Nutt.) Moq". Plantsoftheworldonline.org. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Large Cottonweed (Froelichia floridana)". Illinoiswildflowers.info.
  3. ^ a b c d "Froelichia floridana (Prairie Cottonweed): Minnesota Wildflowers". Minnesotawildflowers.info.
  4. ^ a b "Froelichia floridana (Nutt.) Moq. var. floridana plains snakecotton". Plants.usda.gov.
  5. ^ "Invasive plant risk assessment : Cotton-tails : Froelichia floridana and F. gracilis" (PDF). Daf.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 21 March 2022.