Asteraceae : Anaphalis margaritacea
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Family Name
Asteraceae
Common Name
western pearly everlasting
Description
Anaphalis margaritacea is a rhizomatous dioecious perennial herb that often grows in large patches. The stems are simple, covered with white wooly hairs, and grow from 20 to 60 cm tall. The alternate leaves are linear to linear-lanceolate, 4-9 cm long and sessile and often clasping at the base. The tops of the leaves are green, and the lower side covered with white hairs. The lower-most leaves usually withered or lacking at the time of flowering. The heads appear in July and August in flat-topped to rounded clusters. The heads have several series of imbricate involucral bracts that appear pearly-white, the involucre 5-8 mm tall and woolly at the base. The heads of male plants have numerous yellow, tubular, staminate flowers. The female plants with numerous yellow, pistillate tubular, flowers with a few functional staminate flowers. The fruits are achene-like and mature in the fall.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Collect seeds in the fall when they begin to be shed.
Germination: Seeds require a cold treatment and can be planted outside in fall.
Soils: Sandy or gravelly soils.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Medium water use, allowing soils to dry between waterings
Additional Notes
Pearly everlasting has traditionally been used in dried floral arrangements. It is a host plant for caterpillars of American lady and painted lady butterflies.