The Cat's-Foot, Mountain Ever- 

 lasting or Mountain Cudweed 



(ANTENNARIA DIOICA) 



THE Cat's-foot, which is, after all, perhaps the most suitable 

 name for this curious plant, is abundant in the Alps from the 

 lowest levels right up to 7000 or 8000 feet. It is found in 

 dry places, on moors and heaths, and in dry open woods. 

 It sometimes forms an unwished-for inhabitant of the moun- 

 tain pastures where it is disliked by the herdsmen, for it is 

 an undesirable plant for fodder. The leaves, like those of 

 the Edelweiss, are covered with white woolly hairs, and the 

 flower stems are also hairy. The flowers, which are pink or 

 white, are dioicious, that is to say, the same flower does not 

 produce both pollen and seed, and seed-forming and pollen- 

 producing flowers do not occur on the same plant. As the 

 pollen is not carried by the wind from flower to flower, the 

 plant is entirely dependent upon its insect visitors for the 

 fertilisation of its seeds, and without them no seeds will be 

 formed. The plant is also spread by means of runners, 

 which extend over the soil and take root at intervals. 

 The Swiss peasants make wreaths of the Mountain Ever- 

 lasting, which they wear as a charm, especially on 

 Ascension Day. The plant is widely distributed, and is 

 found in the North of England and Scotland, as well as 

 most parts of Europe and the Polar regions. 



46 



