redwhisker clammyweed
Polanisia dodecandra
The name 'clammyweed' refers to the wet, sticky sensation felt when touching the plant, caused by thousands of tiny glandular hairs covering its stems and leaves.
- Scientific name
- Polanisia dodecandra
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Brassicales › Cleomaceae › Polanisia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Sandy prairies, gravel bars, stream banks, railway ballasts, and disturbed open areas.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
- Range
- United States, Canada, Mexico
- Size
- 10 to 80 cm tall
- Lifespan
- 1 year (Annual)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat destruction, herbicide application, and encroachment by invasive aggressive weeds.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. You can safely observe this plant from any distance. Avoid handling it directly, as the glandular hairs produce a sticky, sticky residue with a strong, musky odor that can be difficult to wash off. If contact occurs, wash skin with soap and warm water. Do not ingest.
Polanisia dodecandra is a species of flowering plant in the Cleome family, Cleomaceae, known by the common name redwhisker clammyweed , or western clammyweed , although there are other Polanisia species called clammyweed. It is an annual plant that is found in many types of habitat throughout much of Canada and the United States. It can be found elsewhere as an introduced species.
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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