Flower profile
Pearly everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly July–September across the U.S.
Pearly everlasting is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 8 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in July–September.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
Quick look
Anaphalis margaritacea, commonly known as the western pearly everlasting or pearly everlasting, is an Asian and North American species of flowering perennial plant in the family Asteraceae.
- It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 40 states. USDA PLANTS
- In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in July–September. iNaturalist
- In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in July–September. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as yellow. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early summer. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 3 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 6,142 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #19 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 3,941 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #38 among the 184 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 1,617 research-grade sightings of it in Minnesota, ranking #83 among the 152 flowers on our Minnesota list. iNaturalist
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in the 8 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Native | July–September | 6,142 |
| Oregon | Native | July–September | 3,941 |
| Minnesota | Native | July–September | 1,617 |
| Maine | Native | July–September | 1,458 |
| Montana | Native | July–September | 1,235 |
| Wyoming | Native | July–September | 570 |
| Idaho | Native | July–September | 469 |
| New Hampshire | Native | August–September | 458 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- State rare plant lists
- Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 4 of our 8 states.
See each state
- Oregon
- Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
- Minnesota
- Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
- Maine
- Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maine. Maine rare plant list
- New Hampshire
- Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
- Washington
- No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
- Montana
- No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Montana.
- Wyoming
- No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Wyoming.
- Idaho
- No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Idaho.
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: DE (SH), IA (S1), IN (SX), NE (S1), NV (S2), VA (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records pearly everlasting in 40 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Washington counties with USDA records: Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima.
Oregon counties with USDA records: Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, Yamhill.
Minnesota counties with USDA records: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pine, Ramsey, Roseau, St. Louis, Washington, Wright.
Growing conditions
USDA PLANTS gives Pearly everlasting a medium shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.0 to 7.5 and winter lows down to -43 °F.
- Shade tolerance
- Medium
- Drought tolerance
- Medium
- Moisture use
- Medium
- Soil textures it is adapted to
- medium
- Soil pH range
- 6.0 to 7.5
- Minimum temperature tolerated
- -43 °F
- Frost-free days needed (minimum)
- 120
- Annual precipitation range
- 10 to 35 inches
- Minimum root depth
- 6 inches
- Salinity tolerance
- None
- Fertility requirement
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Lifespan
- Short
- Active growth period
- Spring and Summer
- Fruit or seed
- Black · Summer to Fall
- Can be propagated by
- container, seed
- Commercial availability
- Contracting Only
From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for ANMA. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.
Names, range and relatives
Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Native; Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native; St. Pierre and Miquelon: Native.
Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Anaphalis occidentalis, Gnaphalium margaritaceum.
County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 539 counties across 35 states; the most are in Pennsylvania (56), Michigan (49), Wisconsin (44).
More from the Asteraceae family (212 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Common yarrow, Goldenrods, White snakeroot, Sunflowers, Chicory, Black-eyed Susan, Bull thistle, Common dandelion.
More Washington flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile ANMA.
- iNaturalist, Anaphalis margaritacea: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Anaphalis margaritacea (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- State rare and invasive plant lists (12):
Show all 12 state lists
- Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
- Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
- Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
- Minnesota: Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300).
- Minnesota: Minnesota Noxious Weed List (Minn. Stat. § 18.79; Minnesota Department of Agriculture, updated January 2026).
- Maine: Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories.
- Maine: Maine Do Not Sell invasive plant list (01-001 C.M.R. ch. 273).
- Montana: Montana noxious weed list (Admin. R. Mont. 4.5.206–4.5.210).
- Wyoming: Wyoming state designated noxious weeds (W.S. 11-5-102(a)(xi)), as listed by the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council.
- Idaho: Idaho noxious weeds (IDAPA 02.06.09, Section 220).
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020).
- New Hampshire: NH Prohibited Invasive Species List (Agr 3800, Table 3800.1).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Anaphalis margaritacea (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: Nick Kleinschmidt via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.