Pearly everlasting
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 Anaphalis margaritacea
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A Pearly everlasting is any of a variety of flowering plant species in the genus Anaphalis. The most well known is the Common or Western Pearly Everlasting, Anaphalis margaritacea.
The Pearly Everlasting is a perennial herb with narrow, alternate (not opposite) leaves. It grows stiffly, straight up to heights of about 1 m. One salient feature is that the undersides of the leaves are covered in tiny hairs, giving them a wooly feel and appearance. The stems are dry and brittle. The flower is small and whitish to yellowish and grows in a corymb inflorescence. The more conspicuous part of the inflorescence is the numerous white bracts that surround the actual flowers.
The plant is dioecious. It is native to North America, and prefers dry, sunny climates, although it is hardy to temperatures well below freezing; it is common throughout North America excepting states that border the Gulf of Mexico.
The name probably derives from the common practice of drying the flowers and stems for decorations through winter months. The Pearly everlasting was used extensively by Native Americans for a variety of medicinal purposes.
