Species

Helichrysum petiolare

Etymology

Helichrysum: From the Greek words helios 'sun' and chrysos 'gold', referring to the colour of the flowers of some species

Authority

Helichrysum petiolare Hilliard et B.L.Burtt

Family

Asteraceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs - Composites

Habitat

Has been collected from sand dunes, the margins of peat bogs, on yellow-brown and yellow-grey earths, cliff faces, and in urban situations. Once established very competitive, even in indigenous shrubland

Features

Scrambling or trailing perennial with ovate-deltate leaves 2-3 cm long. Leaves densely hairy, either grey or greenish yellow (Webb et al 1995).

Flower Colours

Cream,Yellow

Year Naturalised

1991

Origin

S. South Africa

Reproduction
Spreads by layering and seed

Seed
Can seed freely in cultivation when more than one clone is present (Webb et al 1995)

Dispersal
Grows from wind dispersed seed, layering and/or vegetative spread from garden refuse dumps

Tolerances
Appears to prefer coastal and lowland habitats. However, very tolerant of a range of climatic extremes and will even grow in waterlogged soils such as peat. Appears resistent to mild frosts

This page last updated on 24 Mar 2010