BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Antennaria racemosa | Raceme Pussytoes 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Raceme pussytoes is a native, perennial forb with creeping, leafy
stolons.  Stems are 4 to 24 inches (10-60 cm) tall.  The inflorescence
is a generally open cyme, but flowers may be more crowded at higher
elevations [13,15].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Hemicryptophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Raceme pussytoes reproduces from seed or spreads vegetatively through
stolons.  Seeds are light and wind dispersed.  They are generally
not stored in soil seedbanks.  Raceme pussytoes seeds germinate on
mineral soil in partial shade; germination and seedling establishment
do not increase dramatically following disturbance.  Vegetative growth
tends to increase following partial removal of the canopy [21].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Raceme pussytoes is found on moist, at least partially shaded sites in
cool montane and subalpine forests [6,13,15].  In west-central Montana
it is particularly abundant on north slopes, where it may be found along
roads and in other disturbed places [15].  Raceme pussytoes is found at
elevations of 5,600 to 11,500 feet (1,700-3,500 m) in Wyoming and 3,500
to 6,800 feet (1,050-2,050 m) in Montana [7].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Facultative Seral Species

Raceme pussytoes is shade tolerant but is often found on disturbed sites
on north-facing slopes [15].  In central Idaho it is an early seral
species in subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa)/beargrass (Xerophyllum
tenax) habitat types [19], but is considered late seral in
Douglas-fir/ninebark and Douglas-fir/pinegrass habitat types [20,21].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Raceme pussytoes flowers from May through August [13].

Related categories for Species: Antennaria racemosa | Raceme Pussytoes