Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower
Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Australia. Described by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803, it was known as Helichrysum bracteatum for many years before being transferred to a new genus Xerochrysum in 1990. It grows as a woody or herbaceous perennial or annual shrub up to a metre (3 ft) tall with green or grey leafy foliage. Golden yellow or white flower heads are produced from spring to autumn; their distinctive feature is the papery bracts that resemble petals. The species is widespread, growing in a variety of habitats across the country, from rainforest margins to deserts and subalpine areas. The golden everlasting serves as food for various larvae of lepidopterans (butterflies and moths), and adult butterflies, hoverflies, native bees, small beetles and grasshoppers visit the flower heads.
The golden everlasting has proven very adaptable to cultivation. It was propagated and developed in Germany in the 1850s, and annual cultivars in a host of colour forms from white to bronze to purple flowers became available. Many of these are still sold in mixed seed packs. In Australia, many cultivars are perennial shrubs, which have become popular garden plants. Sturdier, long-stemmed forms are used commercially in the cut flower industry.
Cultivars~
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerochrysum_bracteatum
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Botany Photo of the day, photo of Xerochrysum bracteatum, known commonly as straw flower or everlasting flower. This photo was taken by Anne Elliott (aka annkelliott@Flickr) back in May, and uploaded it to the Botany Photo of the Day Flickr Pool. Thanks for sharing, Anne!
See Here …
http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2014/08/xerochrysum-bracteatum.php
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How Do Strawflower Plants Reproduce? ~ by Fern Fischer
Varieties of perennial strawflowers (Xerochrysum bracteatum) produce various colors of flowers that are similar to annual strawflowers. Perennial plants live for a few seasons in areas with light frost — they don’t survive heavy or prolonged frost. Perennial varieties constantly renew by reseeding, or you can root tip-cuttings in sterile medium to propagate more plants. Perennial strawflowers grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 10, and are reliably winter-hardy in USDA zone 10.
Read More Here …
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/strawflower-plants-reproduce-41504.html
Facts About
Bracted strawflower is native to Australia. Also known as golden everlasting or paper daisy, this species is commonly grown as a garden ornamental, and many forms are available. It does not commonly escape cultivation, and in New England it has been collected only in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Habitat
Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), meadows and fields
Go Botany ~ Xerochrysum bracteatum (Vent.) Tzvelev ~ bracted strawflower
https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/xerochrysum/bracteatum/
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