GAMOPETAL^ 309 



Marsh Cudweed {Gnaphalium uliginosum). 



One of the characteristics of this plant is indicated 

 in the first scientific name, which is derived from the 

 Greek gnaphalion, referring to the woolly habit. 



In the second Latin name and the English prefix 

 we have a reference to the habitat of the plant — 

 marshy places. 



Marsh Cudweed is general in Great Britain as 

 far north as the Shetlands, and in Ireland is found 

 at an altitude of 2000 ft. It occurs also in the 

 Channel Islands. 



The habitat is damp places, on light soils, fields 

 and waste places, wet sandy places. It is found in 

 low-lying clayey soils, on clays and loams where 

 there is a wet meadow association of the Common 

 Rush, with Lesser Spearwort, Celery-leaved Crow- 

 foot, Marsh Marigold, Cuckoo-flower, Ragged Robin, 

 Bog Stitchwort, Great Bird's Foot Trefoil, Meadow 

 Sweet, Willow-herbs, Pennywort, Marsh Bedstraw, 

 Nodding Bur Marigold, Butterbur, Creeping Jenny, 

 Water Betony, Bog Speedwell, Horse Mint, Water 

 Pepper, etc. 



The habit is tufted. The plant is densely cottony, 

 much branched. The stems are numerous, erect or 

 prostrate below, cottony above, rarely smooth. The 

 leaves are narrow, linear, swollen upwards, acute or 

 blunt, and the leafstalk is not clasping. The upper 

 leaves are wavy at the margin. 



