Xerochrysum bracteatum

	Family:	Asteraceae
	Distribution:	Widespread in various habitats in all States and Territories.
	Common Name:	Golden Everlasting Daisy
	Derivation of Name:	Xerochrysum....from Greek xeros, dry and chrysos, golden, possibly referring to the dry, papery bracts which are golden-yellow in many species bracteatum...from Latin bracteatus, bearing bracts.
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

Xerochrysum is a small genus of six species, all of which were formerly classified in the genus Bracteantha. Xerochrysum bracteatum was previously known as Bracteantha bracteata and references to its even earlier name of Helichrysum bracteatum may still be found in many publications.

Typical yellow-flowered form of Xerochrysum bracteatum Photo: Brian Walters

Xerochrysum bracteatum, the "Golden Everlasting", is one of the best known of the "paper daisies" as 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.

	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. Some examples are:

• "Diamond Head" - perennial; green foliage, 0.2m x 0.5m. Yellow flowers
• "Dargan Hill Monarch" - perennial; grey leaves, 0.8m x 1m. Yellow flowers<
• "Cockatoo" - perennial; similar to "Dargan Hill Monarch", pale yellow bracts around a head of small orange flowers
• "Princess of Wales" - perennial; similar to "Dargan Hill Monarch" but more compact (0.6m x 0.6m). Yellow flowers
• "Kimberley Sunset" - perennial; grey leaves, 0.8m x 1m. Pink flowers

In addition, breeding work in Europe and Australia has produced annual forms with an outstanding range of colours - yellow, red, purple, orange. These are excellent for a massed, colourful display.

Most forms are suited to cultivation in many areas. The annual forms can be purchased in packets from a number of commercial suppliers and established as instructed on the packs.

Perennial forms are usually quick growing in a sunny, well drained position. They benefit from a regular light pruning annually to encourage branching and a greater number of flowers. Severe pruning to overcome "legginess" may be successful but only as a last resort.

Golden everlasting responds well to annual fertilising, usually with a slow-release type and appreciates an assured water supply. The plants vary in their ability to withstand frost but most are at least moderately frost resistant.

Propagation of X.bracteatum from seed is easy; no pretreatment is required. Propagation from cuttings is also fairly easy and is the only way that named cultivars should be propagated.

Mixed colour forms of Xerochrysum bracteatum Photo: Brian Walters