Golden Everlasting

Xerochrysum bracteatum, the "Golden Everlasting", is one of the best known of the "paper daisies". It is a very widespread species occurring in both annual and perennial forms. It varies in habit from prostrate to a shrubby plant of about 1m in height. The leaves are usually large (up to 100mm long) and green to grey-green in colour. The individual flowers are very small but are formed into a large cluster surrounded by large papery bracts. The overall appearance is that of a large, single "flower" with the bracts as the "petals". However, well over a hundred true flowers occur inside the ring of bracts.

Xerochrysum bracteatum - white
A white-flowered form of Xerochrysum bracteatum
Photo: Australian Daisy Study Group
The golden everlasting has been cultivated for many years and a number of forms have been selected for cultivation. These include several which have resulted from both chance and deliberate hybridisation.