Name:
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- Anaphalis, from the Greek, ana
(ana), "upwards, above, on, upon, up, high", and falos
(phalos), "shining, white"
- margaritacea, from the Latin margarita, "pearl"; hence
"pearl like"
- Pearly Everlasting, from
- Other common names include Western Pearly Everlasting, Silberimmortellen
(Ger), Immortelle de Virginie (Fr), Helminukkajäkkärä
(Fin)
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Taxonomy:
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- Kingdom Plantae, the Plants
- Division Magnoliophyta, the Angiosperms (flowering plants)
- Class Magnoliopsida, the Dicotyledons
- Subclass Asteridae
- Order Asterales, the Sunflowers
- Family Asteraceae, the Sunflowers
- Genus Anaphalis, the Pearly Everlastings
- Taxonomic Serial Number: 36529
- Also known as Anaphalis occidentalis, Gnaphalium margaritaceum
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Description:
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- An erect, short-lived, rhizomatous perennial, to 36" tall
- Leaves elongated, alternate, narrow and untoothed,
3"-6" long, ¼"-½" wide; usually grey green above, wooly white
beneath.
- Stem erect, covered with white hairs.
- Roots
- Flowers borne in 2" or wider, flat clusters of
globular white, button-like heads; pearly white, papery bracts surround
the yellow centers. Retain their color and texture when dried.
- Sepals
- Petals
- Stamens
- Pistils
- Ovary superior (within blossom) inferior (below flower)
- Fruit dry seed heads.
- Seed black
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Identification:
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- Identifiable as
- Distinguished from
- Field Marks
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Distribution:
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- Alaska to Newfoundland, south to California, Arizona, New Mexico,
- China, Japan, and India
- Northern America: Canada - British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland,
Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan; United States - Alaska, Arizona, California,
Delaware, Kansas, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Washington,
West Virginia, Wisconsin
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Habitat:
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- Undisturbed open and brushy uplands; roadsides.
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Fire:
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- Often seeds in after fire.
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Associates:
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History:
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- Has been used as a tobacco substitute.
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Uses:
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- Sometimes picked and dried for winter bouquets; cut in full flower
and hung upside down.
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Reproduction:
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- Sexually by seed
- Blooms mid-July to Labor Day in the North Country.
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Propagation:
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- By seed; sown in summer to blossom the following year. Sown at 68ºF,
germinates rapidly.
- Division most successful method.
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Cultivation:
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- Hardy to USDA Zone 3 (average minimum annual temperature -40ºF)
- Cultural Requirements
- Full sun or light shade.
- Almost any well-drained soil; will tolerate poor, dry soil.
- Spacing: 12"-15"
- Fertilization
- Silver grey color a useful contrast with other plants having darker foliage
and flowers of brighter hues.
- Cultivars and species available by mail order from specialty suppliers
or at local nurseries
- Dig up, divide, and replant when overcrowded, usually after 3-4 years.
- Growth Rate Rapid
Foliage Texture Coarse
Maximum Precipitation (in.) 35
Adapt Medium Tex Soils Yes
Minimum Frost Free Days 120
Cold Stratification Required Yes
Fertility Requirement Medium
Minimum pH 6
Maximum pH 7.5
Minimum Root Depth (in.) 6
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Links:
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Comments:
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Last Updated on
26 February, 2004
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