Cudweed, Low cudweed, Marsh cudweed, Mouse-ear

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 10 min read

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Key Takeaways

This article explains Marsh Cudweed Facts in simple medical language.
This article explains Marsh Cudweed Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Plant Description in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses and benefits of Marsh Cudweed in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

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Definition

Marsh Cudweed scientifically known as Gnaphalium uliginosum is a woolly annual plant belonging to Asteraceae ⁄ Compositae (Aster family) which also include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. The plant is found chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east across the northern Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains to eastern North America. Some of the popular common names of the plant include cudweed, Low cudweed, Marsh cudweed, Mouse-ear, Mud cudweed, brown cudweed and wayside cudweed. The species name uliginosum comes from the Latin uligo (liquid, moisture), the name means that it grows on moist soil.

Marsh Cudweed Facts

Name	Marsh Cudweed
Scientific Name	Gnaphalium uliginosum
Native	Widespread across much of Europe, Asia, and North America
Common Names	Cudweed, Low cudweed, Marsh cudweed, Mouse-ear, Mud cudweed, brown cudweed, wayside cudweed
Name in Other Languages	Afrikaans: Cudweed Albanian: Cudweed Amharic: T’elefe (ጠለፈ) Arabic: Tahlab (طحلب) Armenian: Kokord (կոկորդ) Azerbaijani: Cudweed, Bataqlıq qurucası Bashkir: Кипкәр Bengali: Cudweed Bulgarian: Byal smil (бял смил), blagolyubiv byal smil (благолюбив бял смил) Burmese: Cudweed Catalan: Gnafali uliginós Chinese: Zhū cǎo (猪草), shī shēng shǔ qū cǎo (湿生鼠麴草) Croatian: Cudweed Czech: Pudink, protěž bažinná Danish: Cudweed, Almindelig Hør, Krans-Lilje, Sump-evighedsblomst, Vild Tulipan, Østrigsk Hør, Sump-evighedsblomst, sumpevigedsblomst Dutch: Cudweed, Moerasdroogbloem English: Cudweed, Low cudweed, Marsh cudweed, Mouse-ear, Mud cudweed, brown cudweed, wayside cudweed Esperanto: Cudweed Estonian: Kaisukaru, Soo-kassiurb Filipino: Cudweed Finnish: Cudweed, Peltopellava, Tiikerililja, Varjolilja, Savijäkkärä French: Cudweed, Cotonnière des fanges, Gnaphale des fanges, Gnaphale des marais, Gnaphale des mares, Gnaphale des vases, Cotonnière des marais, Gnaphale uligineuse, filaginelle des marais, gnaphale des lieux humides, gnaphale fangeux, gnaphale uligineux, immortelle des marais Georgian: Sidukhch’ire (სიდუხჭირე) German: Cudweed, Sumpf-Ruhrkraut, Sumpfruhrkraut Greek: Ankaliá (αγκαλιά) Gujarati: Cudweed Hausa: Cudanya Hebrew: חרס Hindi: Cudweed Hungarian: Gyopár, Iszapgyopár Icelandic: Hvítlaukur, Grámygla Indonesian: Cudweed Irish: Cudweed, Gnamhlus corraigh Italian: Cudweed, Canapicchia palustre, gnafalio acquatico Japanese: Kaddou~īdo (カッドウィード), himechichikogusa (ヒメチチコグサ), ezonohahakogusa (エゾノハハコグサ) Javanese: Cudweed Kannada: Kaḍvīḍ (ಕಡ್ವೀಡ್) Kazakh: Qıdır (қыдыр) Korean: Daegu (대구), wae tteok ssuk (왜떡쑥) Kurdish: Cudweed Lao: Cudweed Latin: Cudweed Latvian: Cudweed, dumbrāja zaķpēdiņa Lithuanian: Pelėda, Pelkinis pūkelis Macedonian: Bradavica (брадавица) Malagasy: Cudweed Malay: Merangkak Malayalam: Cudweed Maltese: Cudweed Marathi: Cudweed Mongolian: Cudweed Nepali: Cudweed Northern Sami: Mohterádná Norwegian: Cudweed, Krøll-lilje, Lin, Villtulipan, Åkergråurt Oriya: କଦଳୀ Pashto: Cudweed Persian: نوازش Polish: Cudweed, Szarota błotna Portuguese: Cudweed, gnafa-cinzenta, gnafa-cinzenta Punjabi: Cudweed Romanian: Cudweed Russian: Sushenitsa (сушеница), Sushenitsa topyanaya (Сушеница топяная) Serbian: Cudveed (цудвеед), mrki srcopuc (мрки срцопуц) Sindhi: جذباتي ڪيو Sinhala: Cudweed Slovak: Bielolístok barinný Slovenian: Cudweed, močevna molova roža Spanish: Cudweed, močevna molova roža, gnaphalium de pantano, siempreviva de cumbres, siemprevivas de las cumbres, yerba de alcaudones, yerba de gorriones Sudanese: Cudweed Swedish: Cudweed, Klipplin, Krollilja, Lin, Tigerlilja, Vildtulpan, Savijäkkärä, Sumpnoppa Tajik: Cudweed Tamil: Cudweed Telugu: Cudweed Thai: Cudweed Turkish: Cudweed, bozağan Ukrainian: Sushenitsya (сушениця), Sukhotsvit bahnovyy (Сухоцвіт багновий) Urdu: Cudweed Uzbek: Yostiq Vietnamese: Cây tầm ma Welsh: Cudweed, Edafeddog y gors Zulu: Cudweed
Plant Growth Habit	Woolly annual
Growing Climates	Damp places in sandy fields, heaths, waysides, lake, pond margins, ephemeral pools, damp, arable grasslands, paths, shores, puddles, ditches, small roads, yards, wasteland, meadows, pastures
Plant Size	3-15 cm. tall
Stem	Straight or slightly receding, unbranched or usually branched
Leaf	Leaves are up to 2 inches long, up to 1/8 inch wide, toothless, covered in white woolly hair, often a bit wavy around the edges, pointed at the tip with no leaf stalk
Flowering season	July to August
Flower	Very small about 3 to 4 mm long and crowded in small clusters of 3 to 10, near the ends of the branches and in axils of leaves, whitish to light brownish-green to straw-colored
Fruit Shape & Size	Elliptic, glabrous, brown, achene less than 1 mm (0.04 in.) long, tip with unbranched hairs.
Fruit Color	Brown
Taste	Bitter, pungent
Plant Parts Used	Bitter, pungent
Other Facts	Yellow and green dyes are obtained from the whole plant.
Precautions	It may cause an allergic reaction. Cudweed may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae or Compositae plant family.

Marsh Cudweed Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Gnaphalium uliginosum

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (land plants)
Super Division	Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Sub Division	Spermatophytina (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Sub Class	Asteridae
Super Order	Asteranae
Order	Asterales
Family	Asteraceae ⁄ Compositae (Aster family)
Genus	Gnaphalium L. (cudweed)
Species	Gnaphalium uliginosum L. (marsh cudweed)
Synonyms	asyanthus uliginosus (L.) Bub. Filaginella baicalensis (Kirp.) Czer. Filaginella kasachstanica (Kirp.) N.N.Tzvel. Filaginella lasiocarpa (Ledeb.) Opiz Filaginella malzii Opiz Filaginella mandshurica (Kirp.) Czer. Filaginella nuda (Hoffm. ex J.F.Gmel.) Opiz Filaginella tranzschelii (Kirp.) J.Holub Filaginella ulginosa (L.) Opiz Filaginella uliginosa (L.) Opiz Filaginella uliginosa subsp. kasachstanica (Kirp.) J.Holub Filaginella uliginosa subsp. uliginosa Gnaphalium aquaticum Mill. Gnaphalium baicalense Kirp. & Kuprian. ex Kirpicz. Gnaphalium castaneum Gilib. Gnaphalium humifusum Paill. Gnaphalium humifusum Paill. ex Nym. Gnaphalium kasachstanicum Kirp. & Kuprian. ex Kirpicz. Gnaphalium laevissimum Schur Gnaphalium mandshuricum Kirp. & Kuprian. ex Kirpicz. Gnaphalium nudum Hoffm. Gnaphalium nudum Hoffm. ex J.F.Gmel. Gnaphalium prostratum Huet Gnaphalium prostratum Huet ex Nym. Gnaphalium ramosum Lam. Gnaphalium ruricolum H.S.Pak Gnaphalium tomentosum Hoffm. Gnaphalium tomentosum Hoffm. ex J.F.Gmel. Gnaphalium tranzschelii Kirp. Gnaphalium uliginosum f. condensatum Domin, 1932 Gnaphalium uliginosum f. uliginosum Gnaphalium uliginosum subsp. nudum (Hoffm.) Nym. Gnaphalium uliginosum subsp. uliginosum L. Gnaphalium uliginosum var. lasiocarpum Ledeb. Gnaphalium uliginosum var. lasiocarpum Schur, 1866 Gnaphalium uliginosum var. leiocarpum Ledeb. Gnaphalium uliginosum var. muricatum Cariot, 1884 Gnaphalium uliginosum var. nudum (Hoffm.) Lej., 1813 Gnaphalium uliginosum var. tomentosum Beck, 1893 Gnaphalium uliginosum var. uliginosum Gnaphalium uliginosum var. vaillantii Leredde Gnaphalium wirtgenii Nym. Helichrysum uliginosum (L.) Moench

Plant Description

Marsh Cudweed is a woolly annual plant normally growing about 5-20 cm. tall with short roots (5-18 cm). It is covered with tufted white tomentum, especially above, at anthodia. Stalk more or less branchy from the base. The plant is found growing in damp places in sandy fields, heaths, waysides, lake, pond margins, ephemeral pools, damp, arable grasslands, paths, shores, puddles, ditches, small roads, yards, wasteland, meadows, pastures, depressions in cultivated fields, streams, valleys, roadside ditches and grain fields.

Leaves

Leaves are alternate (1 per node) but numerous and appearing tufted near the tips of branches. Leaves are up to 2 inches long, up to 1/8 inch wide, toothless, covered in white woolly hair, often a bit wavy around the edges, pointed at the tip with no leaf stalk. Stems typically spread out from the base, making it wider than tall, and are also densely covered in woolly hairs, giving them a whitish cast.

Flowers

Flower heads very small about 3 to 4 mm long and crowded in small clusters of 3 to 10, near the ends of the branches and in axils of leaves, whitish to light brownish-green to straw-colored and look like buds or flowers that have already died back and turned brown, without ray florets; involucral bracts tiny, thin, papery, tan or light brownish. Flowering normally takes place in between July to August.

Fruit

Fertile flowers are followed by small achenes, nerveless. One plant produces 100 to 500 hemicarps; weight of 1000 seeds is 0.007 g.

Traditional uses and benefits of Marsh Cudweed

Marsh cudweed is little used in modern herbalism, though it is occasionally taken for its astringent, antiseptic and anti-catarrhal properties.
Whole plant is infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory, astringent, diaphoretic and diuretic.
It may also have aphrodisiac and anti-depressant effects.
It is used both internally and externally in the treatment of laryngitis, upper respiratory catarrh and tonsillitis, whilst in Russia it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure.
The plant is harvested when it is in flower and is dried for later use.
It’s good for constipations and hemorrhoids in the form of therapeutic enema.
Cudweed decoction is taken internally for thrombophlebitis.
It is used topically for wounds, ulcers and burns.
Gargle and mouthwash of cudweed is said to soothe throat irritations.
In British herbal medicine, it is occasionally taken for tonsillitis, sore throat, and hoarseness, and for mucus in the throat, nasal passages, and sinuses.
An infusion is useful for lung problems, leucorrhea and intestinal problems including hemorrhage.
Cold infusion helps expel intestinal worms.
Homeopathic tincture is used for pain traveling along the sciatic nerve, often from lower back to leg. সহজ বাংলা: কোমর থেকে পায়ে নামা নার্ভের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="sciatica" data-rx-definition="Sciatica means pain traveling along the sciatic nerve, often from lower back to leg. সহজ বাংলা: কোমর থেকে পায়ে নামা নার্ভের ব্যথা।">sciatica, lumbago and some kinds of swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis.
Fresh juice is used to calm excessive sexual desire.
It makes a good fomentation for bruises, wounds and ulcers.
Dried flowers are used like hops for a calming herb pillow. As a mouthwash and gargle, the infusion is good for sores in mouth and throat.
It is widely used in the treatment of hypertension, thrombophlebitis, phlebothrombosis and ulcers.
Decoction and infusion of G. uliginosum are known to possess infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antiseptic properties.
Oil extracts are used in the treatment of laryngitis, upper respiratory catarrh and tonsillitis.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Orthopedic / spine specialist, physical medicine doctor, or qualified clinician

Tests to discuss with doctor

Neurological examination for leg power, sensation, reflexes, and straight leg raise
X-ray only if injury, deformity, long-lasting pain, or doctor suspects bone problem
MRI discussion if severe nerve symptoms, weakness, bladder/bowel problem, or persistent symptoms

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
Is physiotherapy, posture correction, or activity modification needed?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first

If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story

Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician

A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests

Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse

If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

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