Home > Landscaping > Native Plants for Western Washington Gardens and Restoration Projects
Anaphalis margaritacea
Pearly Everlasting
At a Glance: Clump forming, perennial herb with small withering basal leaves and papery white flower clusters.
Height: Up to 40 inches (100 cm).
Growth Form: Herb.
Stems: Leafy stems are usually unbranched and appear as if they are covered in white wool.
Leaves: Alternate narrowly lance-shaped leaves are green above and white wooly below with a conspicuous midvein. Margins are frequently rolled under; size: 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long.
Flowers: Flowers are very small with yellowish disk flowers surrounded by dry pearly white involucral bracts with dark triangular bases. The flowers which can be male or female appear in late summer. Flowers are in desne flat-topped clusters 15 cm (6 in) across.
Flowering Period: June, July, August, September.
Fruits: Roughened fruits are small with achenes that range from hairless to sparsely hairy. Pappus hairs are white; color: seeds are black.
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 full sun > 80% mostly sunny 60%-80%  partial sun and shade 40%- 60% mostly shady 60%-80% full shade > 80%
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wet moist dry
Wetland Indicator Status:
NI (no indicator data) |
low elevation mid elevation sub-alpine high elevation
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Aquatic and Wetland:
Ponds or lakes Shallow pools Sloughs Swales or wet ditches Seasonally inundated areas Marshes or swamps Aquatic bed wetlands Emergent wetlands Scrub-shrub wetlands Forested wetlands Bogs, fens Seeps, springs
Lake shores Bog margins Streams or rivers Stream or river banks Riparian corridors River bars Floodplains Bottomlands Alluvial areas |
Saltwater Areas:
In or near saltwater Mud flats Tidal areas Estuaries Saltmarshes Brackish water Seashores Coastal dunes or beaches
Coastal bluffs Cliffs Rocky slopes Outcrops Crevices Glacial outwash Gullies Slide areas
Heaths Snow beds Tundra Avalanche tracks |
Forests and Thickets:
Forests and woods Open forests Coniferous forests Old growth forests Deciduous forests Mixed forests Nurse logs Forest edges, openings, or clearings Thickets
Pastures or fields Meadows or grassy areas Mossy areas
Roadsides Trailsides Logged sites Burned areas Disturbed sites |
Berries Seeds Nectar for hummingbirds Nectar for butterflies Host for insect larvae Thickets and shelter Thorny or protective cover
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Insects: The flowers attract pollinators including syrphid flies, small wasps, and skipper and mylitta crescent butterflies. Painted lady butterfly larvae feed on the foliage.
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Suggested References
- Jacobson A.L. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle. Published by author. Page 304.
- Link, R. 1999. Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 177.
- Lyons, C., W. Merilees. Trees and Shrubs to Know in Washington and British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 199.
- Pojar, J., A. Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 304.
The landscaping and restoration information provided on this page is taken from the Starflower Foundation Image Herbarium. All photographs © Starflower Foundation unless otherwise noted.
