Pearly Everlasting

Pearly Everlasting
(Anaphalis margaritacea)

This small plant grows on rocky hillsides in mountainous areas all over the North American continent. The plant is covered with silvery gray woolly hairs on the lower surfaces of the leaves.

The flower heads are very small (about 1/4 inch across), but several occur on each stem. Each one consists of many pearly white papery bracts surrounding the tiny yellow flowering part in the center. These bracts are "everlasting" -- they don't fall off as the plant dries. They are excellent in dried flower arrangements.