Description. Pussytoes are a herbaceous mat-forming perennial with the leaves staying 1-5cm (3/8 – 2”) high. The blooms of the Low Pussytoes stay nestled within the leaves, but on Rosy and Field Pussytoes can reach 40cm (16”) high. The blooms of Pussytoes resemble the underside of cats’ toes, minus the claws, bloom in the spring, and can be found in open grasslands, in Pine and Fir forests and clinging to rocky slopes.

Historical plant use. Stems and leaves were chewed to help alleviate coughs and colds and the roots of the Rosy Pussytoes were used in winter dance festivals.

Unusual aspects of this plant. Pussytoes have distinct male and female plants. Often, when male plants are not growing in the vicinity of female plants, the female plants will produce seeds anyway, the offspring being identical to the parent plant.