Helichrysum bracteatum
(Vent.) Andr., Bot. Repos. Sub.t. 428. 1805.
Xeranthemum bracteatum Vent. Jard. Mal. 1: t. 2. 1803. Helichrysum
chrysalllhium Pers., Syn. 2: 414. 1807.
Herbs, somewhat branched, up to 1 m high; stems greenish or brownish,
woody, striated, scabrous. Leaves lanceolate, base stem clasping, acute at apex,
sometimes with a short mucro, entire, 1 - 6.5 x 0.2 - 0.9 cm, upper surface
subscabrous, lower surface puberulous, 3-nerved, sessile. Heads forming
terminal corymbs, ca 3 mm across; peduncle 0.5 - 5 cm long. Involucral bracts
many, oblong; outer bracts charred brown, obtuse; inner sulphur yellow to
white, longer than the 'outer. Ray florets with filiform corolla, ca 7 mm long,
4 - 5 toothed. Disc florets ca 4 mm long, 5-toothed. Achenes quadrandular, ca
2 mm long. Pappus hairs yellow-white, bristly.
KEY TO THE VARIETIES
| 1a. Stems brownish; involucral bracts charred brown-sulphur yellow; pappus hairs yellow | 1.2. bracteatum |
| b. Stems greenish; involucral bracts white; pappus hairs white | 1.1. albidum |
