Anaphalis is a genus of ca. 110 species, mostly native in Asia. Its affinities are somewhat unclear although it seems closely related with Helichrysum. Molecular phylogenetic studies (Nie & al. 2012) suggest that all species of Anaphalis are nested with Helichrysum, showing a close relationship with a Mediterranean-Asian group of the latter. The monophyly of Anaphalis was only weakly supported. The genus is here treated in a conservative way.
A few closely related species are cultivated as ornamentals (for summer-bedding or as cut-flowers) (Tebbitt 2000, Jäger & al. 2008). Species delimitation and nomenclature are complex. At least two species have been recorded as garden escapes in Belgium.
- Leaves narrowly lanceolate with 1 prominent vein on lowerside and strongly inrolled margins. Heads ca. 8 mm across with bracts with blunt apices === Anaphalis margaritacea
- Leaves elliptic with 3 prominent veins on lowerside, margins not or only slightly inrolled. Heads ca. 10 mm across with bracts with acute apices === A. triplinervis
Literature:
Grubov V. (1998) Konspekt roda Anaphalis DC. (Compositae) centralnoj Azii. Nov. Sist. Vysš. Rast. 31: 245-257.
Jäger E.J., Ebel F., Hanelt P. & Müller G. (eds.) (2008) Rothmaler Band 5. Exkursionsflora von Deutschland. Krautige Zier- und Nutzpflanzen. Springer Verlag, Berlin: 880 p.
Nie Z.-L., Funk V., Sun H., Deng T., Meng Y. & Wen J. (2012) Molecular phylogeny of Anaphalis (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae) with biogeographic implications in the Northern Hemisphere. Journal of Plant Research
Sell P. & Murrell G. (2006) Flora of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 4 Campanulaceae – Asteraceae. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: XXVIII + 624 p.
Tebbitt M.C. (2000) Anaphalis. In: Cullen J. & al. (eds.), The European Garden Flora, vol. 6. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 558.