Anaphalis margaritacea
Pearly everlasting
(c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Anaphalis margaritacea (Pearly everlasting) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Only North American representative of this primarily Asian genus, with circumboreal distribution.
Pearly everlasting is a native perennial found in northwestern California, the high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, central western California, San Bernardino Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in woodland and disturbed areas at elevations up to 3,200 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white flowers with yellow centers in small, papery clusters that give it a delicate, pearl-like appearance. Growing with white, densely woolly stems 30 to 80 centimeters tall, it spreads through a slender rhizome system. Its leaves are long and narrow, 3 to 10 centimeters in length, with bases that clasp the stem and margins rolled slightly under. The plant's distinctive white-woolly stems and papery flower clusters make it a striking feature in woodland and disturbed habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only North American representative of this primarily Asian genus, with circumboreal distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Woodland, disturbed places
Elevation: < 3200 m
Outside California: to Alaska, northern Canada, eastern United States, Baja California, Eurasia
Bloom period
Anaphalis margaritacea blooms Generally Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudognaphalium: Anaphalis spreads by rhizomes forming colonies; Pseudognaphalium grows as individual plants without rhizomes.; vs Achillea: Anaphalis has papery everlasting flower heads; Achillea has typical ray-and-disk composite flowers with fern-like leaves.; vs Baccharis: Anaphalis has papery white flower heads; Baccharis has greenish-white fluffy seed heads and woody shrub growth.; vs Cryptantha: Anaphalis is in Asteraceae with composite heads; Cryptantha is in Boraginaceae with 5-petaled flowers.; vs Antennaria: Anaphalis has withered basal rosette and uniform long stem leaves; Antennaria keeps basal rosette with much smaller upper leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anaphalis margaritacea native to California?
Yes. Anaphalis margaritacea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Anaphalis margaritacea bloom?
Anaphalis margaritacea blooms Generally Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Anaphalis margaritacea belong to?
Anaphalis margaritacea is in the Asteraceae family, genus Anaphalis.
What habitat does Anaphalis margaritacea grow in?
Anaphalis margaritacea grows in Woodland, disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.