USDA lists four subspecies, all of which are found in WA state.
ssp. arida: (Rosy Pussytoes)
ssp. confinis: (Rosy Pussytoes) (Okanagon & Pierce Counties) phyllaries usually distally brown, sometimes cream, gray, or yellow
ssp. pulvinata: (Pulvinate Pussytoes)
ssp. rosea: (Rosy Pussytoes) Basal leaves 20–40 mm; phyllaries distally usually green, pink, red or white, seldom brown
from eFlora.org
Antennaria rosea is the most widespread Antennaria of North America, occurring in dry to moist habitats from near sea level to the alpine zone. The A. rosea polyploid agamic complex is one of the more morphologically diverse complexes of North American Antennaria. It occurs from the western cordillera of North America from southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico north to subarctic Alaska and east to Greenland and, disjunctly, in the Canadian maritime provinces, eastern Quebec, and immediately north of and adjacent to Lake Superior (R. J. Bayer et al. 1991). Antennaria chilensis (including A. chilensis var. magellanica) is a Patagonian endemic that morphologically fits within the circumscription of A. rosea and may well be an amphitropical disjunct member of the complex.
Antennaria rosea is taxonomically confusing; it includes agamospermous microspecies that have been recognized as distinct taxonomic species. Morphometric and isozyme analyses have demonstrated that the primary source of morphologic variability in the complex derives from six sexually reproducing progenitors, A. aromatica, A. corymbosa, A. pulchella, A. microphylla, A. racemosa, and A. umbrinella (R. J. Bayer 1989b, 1990b, 1990c). Additionally, three other sexually reproducing species, A. marginata, A. suffrutescens, and A. rosulata, may have contributed to the genetic complexity of the A. rosea complex (Bayer 1990b). Here, four reasonably distinct subspecies are recognized within the complex.
east Olympics
TRAIL: Mt. Townsend (Little Quilcene)
HABITAT: Subalpine Forest
ELEVATION: 1,825 m (5,990 ft.)
BLOOM TIME: 19-JUL
