Pearly Everlasting

Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) is often used in dried bouquets by florists and home hobbyists as well. There are over 100 species in this genus, but this is the only one that is native to North America. This plant was used extensively by Native Americans for a variety of medicinal purposes.

For me, the more interesting note about Pearly Everlasting is that the flower is actually the small yellow center of the blossom; the white petals are actually bracts. This is the part of the flower that remains white, even when dried! Who knew?!

Pearly everlasting has a rich cultural history with the Native Americans of our area: pillows and mattresses were stuffed with the hardy flowers; an infusion of the entire plant was used to wash wounds and the flowers were also used to make a tea for asthma.

We found these at the Cooper Mountain Nature Park on 7/16/2013.