pulzusa

Pulzusa is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. The genus was first described in the early 19th century by the German botanist Karl Friedrich Burman in the journal *Botanische Zeitung*. Pulzusa species are annual herbs that grow to a height of 20–35 cm and are characterized by their bright, ray‑shaped florets and dissimilar, narrow leaves. The inflorescence is typically a capitulum with a dense arrangement of florets that can be white, pale yellow, or pink, depending on the species.

The genus comprises three accepted species. Pulzusa alba is found throughout central and southern Europe, Prefers sandy soils in dry, open habitats. Pulzusa rosea prefers limestone outcrops in Mediterranean regions. Pulzusa maritima is restricted to coastal dunes in the Black Sea area. Although small and often overlooked, Pulzusa species are occasionally used in xeriscaping and research on drought‑tolerant ornamental plants. They are not widely cultivated in commercial floristry, but gardeners in regions where the species are native appreciate their vibrant but low‑maintenance appearance. Pulzusa has been noted in ethnobotanical literature as a minor source of dyes, with pigments extracted from the petals used in traditional textile dyes in certain Balkan communities. The genus is considered of low conservation concern, but some populations are listed under regional protection schemes due to habitat loss.