Antennaria media

Alpine Pussytoes

aka Antennaria alpina. Several tight flowerheads cluster at the top of long hairy stems 1″ – 3″ (3 – 8 cm) tall. Called “pussytoes” because these flowerheads resemble furry cats’ paws. The disk flowers are pearly white,sometimes yellowish, with individual flowerheads a mere 1/4″ high. The leaves are oblanceolate to spoon-shaped, up to 1″ long, are quite woooly and soft to the touch. Usually found on rocky slopes and flats, in crevices, above 6,000′ elevation.

Family:

Asteraceae - SUNFLOWER FAMILY, ASTER FAMILY (Compositae)

Genus:

Antennaria from Latin 'antenna'

Species:

media meaning 'the middle' because in regard to size it is midway between two other plants
Photo location: Burroughs Loop trail