Wand blackroot

Gnaphalium virgatum Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1211. 1759

Plants 4–15 dm. Leaf blades linear to narrowly elliptic or linear-lanceolate, 5–10(–15) cm × (2–)5–10(–14) mm, lengths mostly 6–8 times widths, margins entire or minutely denticulate (revolute). Heads in open, inter-rupted, ± cylindric arrays (5–)8–20 cm (main axes visible between glomerules of heads). Involucres campanulate to cylindric, 4–5 mm. Pistillate florets 25–50. Functionally staminate florets 2–4(–5). Cypselae 1–1.4 mm.

Flowering Aug–Oct. Marshy areas, ditches, moist places in woods, in sand, sandy loam, and sandy clay; 0–20 m; La., Tex.; Mexico (Tamaulipas); West Indies; Central America; South America.