Monday, February 10, 2014

Details About Rabbit Tobacco Plants

Despite its common name, rabbit tobacco is not a member of the tobacco family. Known botanically as Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, it is a member of the Compositae or daisy family. Other common names include "life everlasting," "sweet balsam," white balsam," "sweet cudweed" or "cat's foot."


Appearance


These aromatic annuals grow to be between 6 and 32 inches tall. In late fall, new plants establish rosettes of basal leaves that persists through the winter. Each plant produces a single stem with numerous leaves. The dome-shaped flowerhead consists of clusters of small, white blossoms.


Location


Rabbit tobacco grows throughout the eastern half of the United States, as far west as Texas and Minnesota and as far south as Florida. The plants grow wild on roadsides, as well as in pine forests, old farm fields and other waste spaces.


Uses


Rabbit tobacco leaves, when smoked, are a traditional herbal remedy for sinus problems, asthma and congestion. Teas brewed from the leaves were thought to be beneficial in the treatment of a number of complaints, including sore throats, respiratory ailments, diarrhea and nervous disorders.









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