Cotton Weed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cotton Weed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gnaphalium affine
• Anaphalis subdecurrens var. lutea
• Helichrysum griffithii
• Gnaphalium luteoalbum var. affine
• Gnaphalium confusum
• Gnaphalium luteoalbum subsp. affine
• Gnaphalium luteoalbum var. multiceps
• Laphangium affine
• Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum subsp. affine
• Gnaphalium multiceps
• Gnaphalium ramigerum
• Gnaphalium roxburghianum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Pseudognaphalium, with the species name affine.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia. Within the Caucasus, it can be found specifically in the Transcaucasus area. Its range extends into Western Asia, where it is documented in both Afghanistan and Türkiye. In East Asia, the species is located within China South-Central. Additionally, the plant's presence is noted as far south as the island of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pseudognaphalium affine is characterized by its adaptation to specific hydrological and topographical niches, primarily thriving in moist environments such as canals, rivers, and stony places. This species exhibits a distinct altitudinal distribution, with a mean elevation of 1,000 m AMSL, representing its typical growing range. However, its ecological plasticity allows it to inhabit a broad vertical gradient, spanning from a minimum elevation of 1,000 m AMSL to an impressive maximum of 4,900 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests an ability to withstand varying climatic conditions, from temperate riparian zones to high-altitude alpine environments.

Elevational range max:

4900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Habitat :

canals, rivers, stony places

Life history

The life history of Pseudognaphalium affine is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire biological development—from seed germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. Following the onset of favorable environmental conditions, the plant emerges and undergoes a rapid period of vegetative expansion to establish its structure. As the season progresses, it transitions into its reproductive phase, producing flowers that facilitate sexual reproduction. Once the seeds have reached maturity, the plant undergoes senescence and dies, leaving behind a seed bank in the soil to ensure the continuation of the species in subsequent years.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Pseudognaphalium affine is characterized by a low-growing, herbaceous growth form, classified as both a herb and a forb. This plant exhibits a non-woody structure and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, rather than being aquatic or epiphytic. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, it is a diminutive species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.5 m. Additionally, it possesses a self-supporting habit, lacking the climbing characteristics of a liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological morphology of Pseudognaphalium affine is characterized by distinct leaf dimensions that reflect its structural development. The leaf length exhibits a specific range of variation, with a minimum recorded length of 5 cm and a mean length of 6 cm, reaching a maximum extent of 7 cm. Complementing this longitudinal dimension, the leaf width shows a narrower distribution, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm, with a mean width calculated at 0.35 cm. These precise measurements define the vegetative profile and surface area availability of the plant's foliage.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.35 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pseudognaphalium affine is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute fruit structures. The flowering period typically commences in May and continues through to August, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During the reproductive phase, the plant produces fruit that is exceptionally small and uniform in size; the fruit length maintains a consistent measurement of approximately 0.05 cm, with the minimum, mean, and maximum recorded lengths all converging at this specific value.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.05 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pseudognaphalium affine has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 1,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-DICQA, 3,5-DICQA, 4,5-Dicqa.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. The ocular surface

1,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid

1. The ocular surface

3,4-DICQA

1. The ocular surface

3,5-DICQA

1. The ocular surface

4,5-Dicqa

1. The ocular surface

GAE

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. The ocular surface

Activities

Pseudognaphalium affine has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Vulnerary.

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Astringent

1. The ocular surface

Vulnerary

1. The ocular surface

Medicinal Uses

Pseudognaphalium affine has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include COPD, asthma, cough, dry eye disease, ulcerative colitis.

Most Reported Uses