Helichrysum retortum, the flask everlasting or sea strawflower, is a species of plant from South Africa.
| Helichrysum retortum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Helichrysum |
| Species: | H. retortum
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| Binomial name | |
| Helichrysum retortum (L.) Willd.
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
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This straggling silvery shrublet grows up to 50 cm (20 in) tall, although the stems may be longer.[2] The overlapping leaves grow close to the stem.[2][3] They are oblong and the upper leaves are folded and hooked. They are covered in tissue paper-like hairs, making them a silvery colour.[3][4]
Papery flowers are present between August and December.[4] The terminal disc shaped flower heads are nested in leaves and surrounded by white, glossy bracts that are brown or pink on the outside.[2][4] The flowers have a diameter of about 4 cm (1.6 in). The ray florets are shiny white in colour and are often flushed with brown and pink.[2] The disc florets are yellow in colour.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editThis plant is always found growing near the sea.[3] It is found growing on sand cliffs, sand dunes and sandy slopes and flats along the southwest coast of South Africa, from Blouberg to the north of Table Bay and Stillbaai. It sometimes grows up between neighboring bushes.[4]
Conservation
editWhile this species has lost some of its habitat to urban development, it is still considered to be common and is listed as being of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Helichrysum retortum". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e-Flora of South Africa. v1.36. 2022. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.36
- ^ a b c d Clarke, Hugh G.; Merry, Corinne (2019). Wild flowers of the Cape Peninsula (3rd ed.). Cape Town: Struik Nature. ISBN 978-1-77584-640-6. OCLC 1124073483.
- ^ a b c d Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2012). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora (PDF). Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI. ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC 852384288.
- ^ Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2009. Helichrysum retortum (L.) Willd. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/02/09