Narrow-leaved cudweed  (Filago gallica)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

Narrow-leaved cudweed produces tiny flowers (4) and has small, narrow, silvery-grey to green leaves. The seeds are known as achenes, which are single seeded fruits that separate from the plant in one piece (5). Two types of achene are produced, the first type is shed in the bracts, and the second type is blown away in the wind (4). The common name of the cudweeds arises from the practice dating from the 1600s of placing these plants in the mouth of cows that had 'lost their cud' (6).

left