Bracted Strawflower

Known in horticulture as Helichrysum bracteatum, Xerochrysum bracteatum is widely cultivated for its relatively large, spreading, and spectacularly colored involucral bracts. It apparently rarely escapes from cultivation.

Annuals or perennials, 20–90 cm (dwarf varieties mostly less than 30 cm); taprooted. Stems scabrellous and minutely glandular, sometimes lightly arachnoid as well. Leaf blades narrowly elliptic or oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 2–5(–10) cm, sometimes slightly fleshy, vestiture like stems. Heads 3–5 cm diam. (across open involucres). Phyllaries yellow (wild form) or white to pink, red, and purple (cultivars), 10–20 mm. 2. = 24, 26, 28.

Xeranthemum bracteatum Ventenat, Jard. Malmaison 1: plate 2. 1803; Bracteantha bracteata (Ventenat) Anderberg & Haegi; Helichrysum bracteatum (Ventenat) Andrews