| Pearly everlasting | |
|---|---|
| Anaphalis margaritacea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Gnaphalieae |
| Genus: | Anaphalis DC. (1838) |
| Type species | |
| Anaphalis nubigena DC.
Source: ING[1] |
|
Anaphalis (A-ná-pha-lis) is a genus within the composite family whose members are commonly known by the name Pearly everlasting. There are around 110 species within the genus with the vast majority being native to central and southern Asia.[2] There is one species native to North America that is fairly well known and popular in cultivation, namely the Western Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea).
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.
Two of the species, A. javanica and A. longifolia can be found on the mountain af the Java island in Indonesia. A. javanica, also known as the Javanese Edelweiss, is currently an endangered species.