Anaphalis margaritacea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several distinct regions within Northern Europe. Its presence is documented in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Furthermore, it can be found growing throughout the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. The species also extends its range into the Scandinavian Peninsula, specifically within Norway. Finally, its geographical reach includes the various landscapes found across Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anaphalis margaritacea is characterized by its presence within forest habitats, where it plays a role in the local botanical composition. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving across diverse mountainous terrains. It is typically found at a mean elevation of 1650 m AMSL, with its occurrence ranging from a minimum altitude of 500 m AMSL to an impressive maximum elevation of 4900 m AMSL. This wide elevational range allows the plant to occupy various ecological niches within forest ecosystems, adapting to the varying climatic conditions present from lower montane zones to high-altitude environments.

Elevational range max:

4900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Genetics

The genetics of Anaphalis margaritacea are characterized by a stable chromosomal constitution, specifically defined by its ploidy level. Based on cytogenetic analysis, this species is a diploid organism, indicated by a ploidy value of 2. This diploid status suggests that the plant possesses two complete sets of chromosomes within its somatic cells, which serves as the fundamental genetic blueprint for its reproductive development and phenotypic expression. This chromosomal arrangement provides the necessary genetic framework for the species' evolutionary stability and its ability to maintain consistent morphological traits across various populations.

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Anaphalis margaritacea is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural organization and survival strategy, the species is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable periods. This hemicryptophytic nature ensures its long-term presence in its habitat, enabling it to undergo seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anaphalis margaritacea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it maintains a relatively low profile with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.8 m, though the average height is approximately 0.91 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.91 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anaphalis margaritacea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, maintaining a mean length of 6.5 cm. These leaves are notably narrow, with widths fluctuating between a minimum of 0.3 cm and a maximum of 1.2 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of 14.71 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 128 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its physiological adaptation to resource acquisition and light interception within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf size mean:

14.71 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

128 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anaphalis margaritacea is characterized by a specific flowering window that typically begins in July and concludes in August. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces fruits that are consistently small, maintaining a uniform length of approximately 0.07 cm (with both minimum and maximum measurements recorded at this value) and possessing a dry texture. The seeds produced are remarkably minute, with a mean mass of approximately 5.5767 × 10⁻⁵ g, ranging from a minimum of 3.8 × 10⁻⁵ g to a maximum of 0.00019 g. Furthermore, the seed volume is highly consistent, measured at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 0.074 mm³. To facilitate the spread of its progeny, the species utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its lightweight seeds to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.07 cm

Seed mass max:

0.00019 g

Seed mass mean:

5.57666666666667e-05 g

Seed mass min:

3.8e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.074 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Anaphalis margaritacea has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include EO, Phytosterols, Tannin, resin, trans-Dehydromatricaria ester.

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Phytosterols

1. Dr. Duke

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

resin

1. Dr. Duke

trans-Dehydromatricaria ester

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Anaphalis margaritacea has 36 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticariogenic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticariogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidiarrheic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidysenteric

1. Dr. Duke

Antihepatotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke

Antilipolytic

1. Dr. Duke