Vick, Albert F. W.
Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth.
Western pearly everlasting, Pearly-everlasting
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Individual, erect, cottony stems grow 1-3 ft. tall and are often clumped together creating a bushy appearance. Narrow leaves are gray-green to woolly-white. Globular flowers are actually long-enduring, white, dry bracts arranged around a yellow center. Several evenly leafy woolly stems in a small patch are topped by a crowded, roundish cluster of flower heads with pearly-white bracts, sometimes with a dark spot at base of each outer bracts.
The dried stalks with their pearly-white heads are attractive in floral arrangements. The pure white flower is commonly used in dried flower arrangements.
Good dried flowers; food plant for Painted lady butterflies.
In folk medicine, it is used as a salve for burns. (Strickland)
Image Gallery:
5 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Leaf: Green
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DE , ID , IL , IN , IA , KS , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MO , MT , NE , NV , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY
Canada: AB ,
BC ,
MB ,
NB ,
NL ,
NT ,
NS ,
ON ,
PE ,
QC ,
SK ,
YT Native Distribution: Nf. to AK, s. to VA, IA, the Black Hills, NM & CA
Native Habitat: Dry prairies; open woods; roadsides; waste places
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Sandy or gravelly soils.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: The pure white flower is commonly used in dried flower arrangements.
Use Wildlife: Good food plant for Painted lady butterflies.
Use Medicinal: In folk medicine, it is used as a salve for burns. (Strickland)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Skippers, American Painted Lady
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Anaphalis margaritacea is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-12-07
