#pearly everlasting

[summerswages]

Pearly Everlasting . . .

Anaphalis margaritacea . . .

[vandaliatraveler]

An eruption of seed pods, swarms of ravenous insects, and the cloying perfume of decaying ferns: the closing verses of summer's swan song are delirious and full of primal energy. In fields and along woodland edges, milkweed plants give away the last of their life force to new generations of living things: the late instars of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and the milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle). Meanwhile, in shady, mesic woods, beech drops (Epifagus virginiana) draw precious life from the roots of their benefactor, the only thing that can sustain them. Some giveth and some taketh away. In the shrinking sunlight of summer, they all take as much as they can before it's gone.

Photos from the Blackwater View Trail, which follows the Blackwater River, at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

[riverwindphotography]

Color Burst

(c) gif by riverwindphotography, August 2023

[kitpikz]

Pearly Everlasting, I suppose they do make me think of teeth

[ahhvernin]

People always speak of Forget-me-nots

A small plea to not be forgotten, a fragile little flower that would not last a week.

But I'll remember you though the Pearly Everlasting and Pussy Toes. Where they coat the patches where you may have stood in a silver pearly dusting and the flowers seem to appear overnight. Their seeds will forever remind me of your gentle warm touch and their false paper white petals remain forever blooming, cradling the stars we could have held together.

[flowerishness]

Anaphalis margaritacea (Western pearly everlasting)

There are over 100 species of Anaphalis but only Anaphalis margaritacea is native to North America. It is widespread across most of Canada, the United States and Northwestern Mexico. This species also has native, wild populations throughout Europe and the the Far East. This healthy specimen was found growing on an empty building site. Just what this plant loves: full sun and poor soil.

Western pearly everlasting is dioecious, meaning that the pollen-producing (male) and seed-producing (female) flowers are borne on separate plants. The flowers are either entirely staminate (producing pollen) or functionally pistillate (mostly producing just seed, but with a few staminate flowers present). Thus the female flowers have a brilliant 'back-up plan' which ensures that, even if there are no male plants in the vicinity, there is still a way to produce the next generation of Western pearly everlasting.

[pnwnativeplants]

July Blooms

Erigeron glaucus // Seaside Fleabane

Stachys colleyae // Cooley's hedge nettle (doesn't sting!)

Eriophyllum lanatum // Oregon sunshine

Aruncus dioicus // Goat's beard

Allium cernuum // Nodding onion

Spirea douglasii // Douglas spirea

Mahonia nervosa // Creeping oregon grape

Symphyotrichum subspicatum // Douglas aster (Bee diversity superstar!)

Anaphalis margaritacea // Pearly everlasting

[mountrainiernps]

While some late season flowers like Cascade asters are still blooming, most wildflowers have faded. Seedheads and the first hints of fall color are starting to emerge. Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) is one wildflower that seems to last well into fall. The true flower is the yellow portion in the center of the blooms, while the white “petals” are bracts, or modified leaves. The white bracts will stay on the plant long after the flower fades, giving the impression that this plant blooms “everlasting”. What wildflowers are you observing in the park?

Remember to always stay on trails to avoid trampling the wildflowers! There are many options for that perfect mountain + wildflower photo from the trail. Help ensure wildflowers thrive so that you can enjoy them the next time you visit!

For updates on what’s blooming where visit https://go.nps.gov/RainierWildflower

Unfamiliar with Mount Rainier’s wildflower species? Check out the wildflower guide at https://go.nps.gov/RainierWildflowerGuide

NPS Photo of pearly everlasting blooming at Sunrise, 8/29/24.