Strawflower
Encyclopedia
The genus Helichrysum (icon) consists of an estimated 600 species, in the sunflower family (Asteraceae
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...

). The type species is Helichrysum orientale. The name is derived from the Greek words helisso (to turn around) and chrysos (gold).

It occurs in Africa (with 244 species in South Africa), Madagascar, Australasia and Eurasia. The plants may be annuals
Annual plant
An annual plant is a plant that usually germinates, flowers, and dies in a year or season. True annuals will only live longer than a year if they are prevented from setting seed...

, herbaceous perennials
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...

 or shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...

s, growing to a height of 60–90 cm. The genus was a wastebasket taxon, and many of its members have been reclassified in smaller genera, most notably the Everlastings, now in the genus Xerochrysum
Xerochrysum
Xerochrysum is a genus of flowering plants native to Australia. It was defined by Russian botanist Nikolai Tzvelev in 1990, preceding Bracteantha which was described the following year. A 2002 molecular study of the tribe Gnaphalieae has indicated the genus is probably polyphyletic, with X....

.

Their leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....

 are oblong to lanceolate. They are flat and pubescent on both sides. The bristles of the pappus are scabrous, barbellate, or plumose.

The receptacle (base of the flower head) is often smooth, with a fringed margin, or honey-combed, and resemble daisies. They may be in almost all colors, except blue. There are many capitula
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...

 and generally flat-topped corymbs
Panicle
A panicle is a compound raceme, a loose, much-branched indeterminate inflorescence with pedicellate flowers attached along the secondary branches; in other words, a branched cluster of flowers in which the branches are racemes....

 or panicle
Panicle
A panicle is a compound raceme, a loose, much-branched indeterminate inflorescence with pedicellate flowers attached along the secondary branches; in other words, a branched cluster of flowers in which the branches are racemes....

s. The corolla lobes show glandular hairs at the abaxial surface.

Several species are grown as ornamental plant
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...

s, and for dried flowers. When cut young and dried, the open flowers and stalks preserve their colour and shape for long periods.

Helichrysum species are used as food plants by the larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...

e of some Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...

 species including the bucculaticid
Bucculatricidae
Bucculatricidae or is a family of moths. This small family has representatives in all parts of the world. Some authors place the group as a subfamily of the family Lyonetiidae....

 leaf-miners Bucculatrix gnaphaliella (which feeds exclusively on Helichrysum arenarium) and Bucculatrix helichrysella (feeds exclusively on H. italicum) and the Coleophora
Coleophora
Coleophora is a very large genus of moths of the family Coleophoridae. It contains some 1,350 described species. The genus is represented on all continents, but the majority are found in the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions...

case-bearers C. caelebipennella, C. gnaphalii (feeds exclusively on H arenarium) and C. helichrysiella (feeds exclusively on H. italicum).

Helichrysum angustifolium or Helichrysum italicum
Helichrysum italicum
Helichrysum italicum or Helichrysum angustifolium is a flowering plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is sometimes called the curry plant because of the strong smell of its leaves. It grows on dry, rocky or sandy ground around the Mediterranean. The stems are woody at the base and can reach...

 is steam distilled to produce a yellow-reddish essential oil
Essential oil
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils or aetherolea, or simply as the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove...

 popular in fragrance for its unique scent, best described as a mixture of burnt sugar and ham. Angustifolium means narrow leaved. The name is commonly misspelled as "augustifolium". See http://www.floralwiki.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Epithets_A for more details on botanical naming.

Species

Hilllard (1983) divided this large and heterogeneous genus in 30 morphological groups. But this genus is controversial and is considered by many as an artificial genus. The taxonomy of the large polymorphic
Polymorphism (biology)
Polymorphism in biology occurs when two or more clearly different phenotypes exist in the same population of a species — in other words, the occurrence of more than one form or morph...

 and probably polyphyletic Helichrysum genus is complex and not yet satisfactorily resolved. Several Australian species, such as H. acuminatum and H. bracteatum, have been reclassified in the genus Xerochrysum
Xerochrysum
Xerochrysum is a genus of flowering plants native to Australia. It was defined by Russian botanist Nikolai Tzvelev in 1990, preceding Bracteantha which was described the following year. A 2002 molecular study of the tribe Gnaphalieae has indicated the genus is probably polyphyletic, with X....

in 1991, resp. as X. subundulatum and X. bracteatum. In 1989, misaligned species of Helichrysum were reclassified in Syncarpha
Syncarpha
Syncarpha is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae. The species are endemic to the Eastern Cape and Western Cape in South Africa.-Species:Syncarpha species include:...

. Species included in Pseudognaphalium
Pseudognaphalium
Pseudognaphalium is a genus of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. Members of the genus are commonly known as cudweeds.Classification of a number of species is disputed between Pseudognaphalium and the related genus Gnaphalium....

are probably congeneric with Helichrysum. In 2004, A. Miller identified five potentially new species that have not yet been published but were included in the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...

 data, given their restricted range in Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....

. They are as follows:
  • Helichrysum sp. nov. A
    Helichrysum sp. nov. A
    Helichrysum sp. nov. A is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is rocky areas.-Source:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

     - Its natural habitat is rocky areas. It was given a status of "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.
  • Helichrysum sp. nov. B
    Helichrysum sp. nov. B
    Helichrysum sp. nov. B is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and rocky areas.-Source:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

     - Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and rocky areas. It was given a status of "Vulnerable".
  • Helichrysum sp. nov. C
    Helichrysum sp. nov. C
    Helichrysum sp. nov. C is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is rocky areas.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

     - Its natural habitat is rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss. It was given a status of "Endangered".
  • Helichrysum sp. nov. D
    Helichrysum sp. nov. D
    Helichrysum sp. nov. D is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is rocky areas.-Source:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

     - Its natural habitat is rocky areas. It was given a status of "Endangered".
  • Helichrysum sp. nov. E
    Helichrysum sp. nov. E
    Helichrysum sp. nov. E is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is rocky areas.-Source:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

     - Its natural habitat is rocky areas. It was given a status of "Data deficient".


Established species include:

  • Helichrysum abrotaniforme
  • Helichrysum aciculare
    Helichrysum aciculare
    Helichrysum aciculare is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is rocky areas.-References:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

  • Helichrysum acuminatum
  • Helichrysum acutatum : Sticky Everlasting
  • Helichrysum adenocarpum : Pink Everlasting, Red Everlasting
  • Helichrysum adenophorum
  • Helichrysum adnatum
  • Helichrysum adonidiforme
  • Helichrysum aggregatum
  • Helichrysum alatum
  • Helichrysum albicans
  • Helichrysum allioides
  • Helichrysum alpinum
  • Helichrysum ambiguum
  • Helichrysum amorginum
  • Helichrysum angustifolium
    Helichrysum italicum
    Helichrysum italicum or Helichrysum angustifolium is a flowering plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is sometimes called the curry plant because of the strong smell of its leaves. It grows on dry, rocky or sandy ground around the Mediterranean. The stems are woody at the base and can reach...

  • Helichrysum angustum
  • Helichrysum anomalum
  • Helichrysum antennaria
  • Helichrysum anthemoides
  • Helichrysum apiculatum
  • Helichrysum appendiculatum : Sheep's Ears Everlasting
  • Helichrysum arachnoides
    Helichrysum arachnoides
    Helichrysum arachnoides is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

  • Helichrysum arenarium
    Helichrysum arenarium
    Helichrysum arenarium is also known as dwarf everlast, and Immortelle -Description:An Perennial plant, it grows to be an average of 0.3 m tall....

    : Dwarf Everlasting
    • Helichrysum arenarium ssp. arenarium
    • Helichrysum arenarium ssp. ponticum
  • Helichrysum argentissimum
  • Helichrysum argyroglottis
  • Helichrysum argyrolepis
  • Helichrysum argyrophyllum
  • Helichrysum argyrosphaerum : Wild Everlasting
  • Helichrysum asteroides
  • Helichrysum aureonitens : Golden Everlasting
  • Helichrysum aureum : Yellow Everlasting
  • Helichrysum auriceps
  • Helichrysum ayersii
  • Helichrysum baccharoides
  • Helichrysum backhousei
  • Helichrysum balfourii
    Helichrysum balfourii
    Helichrysum balfourii is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

  • Helichrysum banksii
  • Helichrysum basedowii
  • Helichrysum beckleri
  • Helichrysum biafranum
    Helichrysum biafranum
    Helichrysum biafranum is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Cameroon.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-Source:* Cheek, M. & Cable, S. 2000. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

  • Helichrysum bicolor
  • Helichrysum bidwillii
  • Helichrysum bilobum
  • Helichrysum blackallii
  • Helichrysum blandowskianum
  • Helichrysum boormanii
  • Helichrysum brachyrhynchum
  • Helichrysum buftonii
  • Helichrysum bupthalmoides
  • Helichrysum caespititium
  • Helichrysum calvertianum
  • Helichrysum cameroonense
    Helichrysum cameroonense
    Helichrysum cameroonense is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Cameroon.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.-Source:* Cheek, M. & Cable, S. 2000. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

  • Helichrysum candolleanum
  • Helichrysum cassinioides
  • Helichrysum cassiope
  • Helichrysum cephaloideum
  • Helichrysum cerastioides
  • Helichrysum chionosphaerum : Dwarf Everlasting
  • Helichrysum chlorochrysum
  • Helichrysum cinereum
  • Helichrysum cladochaetum
  • Helichrysum cochleariforme : Gold-and-silver
  • Helichrysum collinum
  • Helichrysum conditum
  • Helichrysum confertifolium
  • Helichrysum cooperi : Yellow Everlasting
  • Helichrysum cordatum
  • Helichrysum coriaceum
  • Helichrysum costatifructum
  • Helichrysum crispum
  • Helichrysum cunninghamii
  • Helichrysum cylindrifolium
  • Helichrysum cymosum
  • Helichrysum dasyanthum
  • Helichrysum dasymallum
  • Helichrysum davenportii
  • Helichrysum decorum
  • Helichrysum diosmifolium (synonym of Ozothamnus diosmifolius
    Ozothamnus diosmifolius
    Ozothamnus diosmifolius, or Rice Flower, is an erect shrub to 2 metres high which is native to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.Other common names for this species include White Dogwood, Pill Flower and Sago Bush....

    )
  • Helichrysum diotophyllum
  • Helichrysum doerfleri
  • Helichrysum ecklonis : Ecklon's Everlasting
  • Helichrysum epapposum
  • Helichrysum eremaeum
  • Helichrysum eriocephalum
  • Helichrysum erosum
  • Helichrysum expansifolium
  • Helichrysum felinum : Strawberry Everlasting
  • Helichrysum ferrugineum
  • Helichrysum filifolium
  • Helichrysum flavissimum
  • Helichrysum foetidum : Polecat Strawflower, Stinking Strawflower
  • Helichrysum formosissimum
  • Helichrysum frigidum
  • Helichrysum gatesii
  • Helichrysum gerberaefolium
  • Helichrysum gilesii
  • Helichrysum glomeratum
  • Helichrysum glutinosum
  • Helichrysum gracilescens
  • Helichrysum grandiflorum
  • Helichrysum graveolens
  • Helichrysum grayi
  • Helichrysum griseum
  • Helichrysum gymnocephalum
    Helichrysum gymnocephalum
    Helichrysum gymnocephalum is a flowering plant in the sunflower family found in Madagascar. It is used locally for its alleged aphrodisiac, antiseptic, and stimulant properties, and also as a treatment for bronchitis. The essential oil is sold internationally for these same purposes...

  • Helichrysum gymnocomum
  • Helichrysum harveyanum
  • Helichrysum hebelepis
  • Helichrysum heldreichii
  • Helichrysum herbaceum : Monkey-tail Everlasting
  • Helichrysum hirtoviscosum
  • Helichrysum humboldtianum
  • Helichrysum hypoleucum
  • Helichrysum incanum
  • Helichrysum indicum
  • Helichrysum inornatum
  • Helichrysum insigne
  • Helichrysum involucratum
  • Helichrysum italicum
    Helichrysum italicum
    Helichrysum italicum or Helichrysum angustifolium is a flowering plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is sometimes called the curry plant because of the strong smell of its leaves. It grows on dry, rocky or sandy ground around the Mediterranean. The stems are woody at the base and can reach...

    • Helichrysum italicum ssp. italicum
    • Helichrysum italicum ssp. microphyllum
    • Helichrysum italicum ssp. serotinum
  • Helichrysum kempei
  • Helichrysum kraussii : Straw Everlasting
  • Helichrysum krookii
  • Helichrysum lanuginosum
  • Helichrysum lawrencella
  • Helichrysum ledifolium
  • Helichrysum lepidophyllum
  • Helichrysum leptolepis
  • Helichrysum leucocephalum
  • Helichrysum leucopsideum
    Helichrysum leucopsideum
    Helichrysum leucopsideum, commonly known as Satin Everlasting, is a perennial herb in the family Asteraceae. It is native to southern Australia. It produces terminal flower heads, mainly between spring and early summer. The white bracts spread out or become reflexed with age....

  • Helichrysum lindleyi
  • Helichrysum lindsayanum
  • Helichrysum lucidum
  • Helichrysum lucilioides
  • Helichrysum lycopodioides
  • Helichrysum macivorii
  • Helichrysum maidenii
  • Helichrysum manglesii
  • Helichrysum mannii
    Helichrysum mannii
    Helichrysum mannii is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.-Source:...

  • Helichrysum melanacme
  • Helichrysum melitense
    Helichrysum melitense
    The Maltese Everlasting is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family and is endemic to Malta,specifically on the island of Gozo in the wild, very rare as ornamental in Malta island...

  • Helichrysum mellorianum
  • Helichrysum milliganii
  • Helichrysum mimetes : Curry Everlasting
  • Helichrysum moeserianum
  • Helichrysum monochaetum
  • Helichrysum mundtii
  • Helichrysum nanum
  • Helichrysum newcastlianum
  • Helichrysum nimmoanum
    Helichrysum nimmoanum
    Helichrysum nimmoanum is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-Source:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

  • Helichrysum niveum
  • Helichrysum nudifolium : Hottentot's Tea
  • Helichrysum obcordatum
  • Helichrysum obovatum
  • Helichrysum obtusifolium
  • Helichrysum occidentale
  • Helichrysum odoratissimum
  • Helichrysum oldfieldii
  • Helichrysum oligochaetum
  • Helichrysum oreophilum
  • Helichrysum orientale (type species)
  • Helichrysum oxylepis
  • Helichrysum pallidum
  • Helichrysum panduratum
  • Helichrysum pandurifolium
  • Helichrysum paralium
  • Helichrysum patulum : Honey Everlasting
  • Helichrysum paulayanum
    Helichrysum paulayanum
    Helichrysum paulayanum is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.-Sources:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

  • Helichrysum pedunculatum
  • Helichrysum petiolare : Licorice Plant
  • Helichrysum pholidotum
  • Helichrysum pilosellum
  • Helichrysum pleurandroides
  • Helichrysum plicatum
  • Helichrysum podolepidium
  • Helichrysum populifolium : Poplar Helichrysum
  • Helichrysum porrectum
  • Helichrysum pseudoferrugineum
  • Helichrysum pseudoturbinatum
  • Helichrysum pterochaetum
  • Helichrysum pumilio
  • Helichrysum purpurascens
  • Helichrysum puteale
  • Helichrysum ramosissimum
  • Helichrysum readeri
  • Helichrysum reticulatum
  • Helichrysum reflexum : White Everlasting
  • Helichrysum retortum
  • Helichrysum revolutum
  • Helichrysum robustum
  • Helichrysum rogersianum
  • Helichrysum roseum
  • Helichrysum rosulatum
    Helichrysum rosulatum
    Helichrysum rosulatum is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is rocky areas.-References:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

  • Helichrysum rosum
  • Helichrysum ruderale
  • Helichrysum rufescens
  • Helichrysum rugulosum
  • Helichrysum rupestre
    Helichrysum rupestre
    Helichrysum rupestre is a species of plant in the Asteraceae family.-References:*DC., Prodr. 6: 182 .*Mercè Galbany-Casals, Llorenç Sáez, Carles Benedí. . Conspectus of Helichrysum Mill. sect. Stoechadina Gren. & Godr. ...

  • Helichrysum sanguineum : Red everlasting
    Red everlasting
    The red everlasting is a flowering plant of the genus Helichrysum in the daisy family .It is a protected plant in some jurisdictions ....

  • Helichrysum sarcodes
  • Helichrysum saxatile
    • Helichrysum saxatile ssp. errerae
    • Helichrysum saxatile ssp. saxatile
  • Helichrysum scitulum
  • Helichrysum scutellifolium
  • Helichrysum secundiflorum
  • Helichrysum selaginoides
  • Helichrysum semiamplexicaule
  • Helichrysum semicalvum
  • Helichrysum semifertile
  • Helichrysum semipapposum
  • Helichrysum setosum : Yellow Everlasting
  • Helichrysum sibthorpii
  • Helichrysum sonderi
  • Helichrysum spiceri
  • Helichrysum spiralepis
  • Helichrysum sphaerocephalum
    Helichrysum sphaerocephalum
    Helichrysum sphaerocephalum is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and rocky areas.-References:...

  • Helichrysum splendidum : Cape Gold
  • Helichrysum stellatum
  • Helichrysum stipitatum
  • Helichrysum stirlingii
  • Helichrysum stoechas This is similar to the Helichrysum arenarium
    Helichrysum arenarium
    Helichrysum arenarium is also known as dwarf everlast, and Immortelle -Description:An Perennial plant, it grows to be an average of 0.3 m tall....

    species (Immortelle), but the leaves are all linear, with rolled under Edges. It is found in western France on dunes near the sea : Shrubby Everlasting
    • Helichrysum stoechas ssp. barrelieri
    • Helichrysum stoechas ssp. stoechas
  • Helichrysum stoveae
  • Helichrysum subulifolium
  • Helichrysum suffruticosum
    Helichrysum suffruticosum
    Helichrysum suffruticosum is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It is found only in Yemen.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-Source:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

  • Helichrysum sulcaticaule
  • Helichrysum superbum
  • Helichrysum sutherlandii
  • Helichrysum tasmanicum
  • Helichrysum teretifolium
  • Helichrysum thianschanicum
  • Helichrysum thomsonii
  • Helichrysum trilineatum
  • Helichrysum tuckeri
  • Helichrysum turbinatum
  • Helichrysum umbraculigerum
  • Helichrysum vagans
  • Helichrysum versicolor
  • Helichrysum viscosum
  • Helichrysum waitzioides
  • Helichrysum whitei


External links

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