This erect native perennial grows 1-3 feet tall, often in clumps (C). The alternate, unstalked, oval leaves, 2-4 inches long have smooth margins and prominent veins (A). Abundant stiff, white hairs impart a grayish-green color to the leaves and stem. At the end of the stems are several unique drooping tubular flowers about 1/2 inch long with greenish white to white, hairy, pointed, closed petals through which a single style protrudes (B). The fruit is a very hard, shiny nutlet (D) responsible for the common name “Marbleseed.”
Found in dry or sandy upland prairies, flowering from late May through July. At Neale Woods, it is rare; two clumps have been found next to Tallgrass PrairieTrail in Knull Prairie.
The Omaha and Ponca ate the starchy rhizomes and used the dense down to make dressings for burns, and as we would use cotton in diapers and pads.
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