Native Plant Database

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Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Froelichia gracilis (Hook.) Moq.

Slender snakecotton, Snake-cotton

Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family)

USDA Symbol: FRGR3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The slender snakecotton rows 1–2 feet high and is unbranched except for the flower stems. These are covered with soft, minute hairs. The flowers, also, are almost covered with these woolly hairs, so that in some cases only the end of the flower is visible, though this might not be apparent without a magnifying glass. They have no petals, but the black-tipped white bracts give the flower head a black-and-white appearance. The flower head, or cluster, 1/2–1 1/2 inches long, is sometimes attached directly to the stem, but more often grows on a flower stem 1/2–5 inches long. The slender leaves are at the base of the plant.

The Amaranthaceae are a family of annual or perennial herbs with small, crowded flowers. There are usually 5 sepals and no petals. Filaments of the stamens are often united into a short tube.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Bloom Notes: Flowering summer in North, year-round in extreme South.

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , AR , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MA , MI , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WV , WI , WY
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(I)
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From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Froelichia gracilis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Froelichia gracilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Froelichia gracilis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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