Western pearly everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A perennial daisy family herb. It grows 80-100 cm high and spreads 40-60 cm wide. The leaves are grey-green above and have white hairs underneath. The leaves are 7-13 cm long by 2 cm wide. The edges are wavy. The flower heads are 11 mm across. The flowers are clustered. These are 15 cm across. The fruit is a dry warty achene.

There are about 100 Anaphalis species.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows in open woods. It grows in shady slopes in Pakistan between 700-1,300 m above sea level. It can tolerate drought and frost. In China it grows in pine forests and in dry soils and sub-alpine meadows between 300-3,400 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska (country/location of origin), Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, France, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, NW India, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

It is chewed in place of tobacco. The whole plant is cooked with pork or green-shelled duck eggs. The young leaves are cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bukiphool, Mačje tačke, Qing ming cai

Synonyms

Anaphalis cinnamomea (DC.) C. B. Clarke; Anaphalis timmua D. Don; Antennaria cinnamomea DC.; Gnaphalium margaritaceum L.;