Common names include old field balsam, rabbit tobacco and sweet everlasting.

In its first year, the plant produces tightly packed rosettes covered in wooly hair.

In the second year, the plant produces a tall stem with alternate leaves and yellow peg-shaped flowerheads.

[1] Populations found in the state of Wisconsin growing on ledges and in cracks in shaded limestone cliff-faces, usually those facing south or east, have been described as Pseudognaphalium saxicola, common name cliff cudweed or rabbit-tobacco.

[8] The Menominee steam the dried leaves as an inhalant for headaches, and as a treatment against "foolishness".

[12] They also smudge the leaves and use them to fumigate premises to dispel ghosts,[13] and to bring back "loss of mind".