''Chrysocephalum apiculatum'', known by the

common name In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contra ...

s common everlasting and yellow buttons, is a perennial herb native to southern Australia. It is a member of the

Asteraceae The family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae ...

, the daisy family. The name "everlasting" was inspired by its use as a long-lasting cut flower. It is increasing in popularity in Australia as a cottage garden plant, but is still not well known.

Description

The common everlasting grows to around 40 centimeters high, with spreading horizontal stems that turn upwards as they get longer. The elongated silvery grey leaves clasp tightly to the stems and are covered in fine, silky hairs. The flower heads are yellow in color and spherical in shape, around 1 centimeter in diameter each, and often borne in clusters. The florets are minute. Like many daisies, it has seeds which are gradually dispersed on the wind. The seed germinates readily, but has a short viable life.

Habitat

The plant grows in full sun on light, well-drained soil in grassy areas. It can tolerate moderately salty wind and dry conditions. Severe pruning will also rejuvenate old plants. It is an important food plant for the

Australian painted lady The Australian painted lady (''Vanessa kershawi'') is a species of butterfly mostly confined to Australia, although westerly winds have dispersed it to islands east of Australia, including New Zealand. Debate surrounds the taxonomy of this sp ...

(''Vanessa kershawi''), a butterfly..

Taxonomy

''Chrysocephalum apiculatum'' was first described as ''Gnaphalium apiculatum'' by

Jacques Labillardière Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardière (28 October 1755 – 8 January 1834) was a French biologist noted for his descriptions of the flora of Australia. Labillardière was a member of a voyage in search of the La Pérouse expedition. He pub ...

in 1806, but was transferred to the genus, '' Chrysocephalum'', by Joachim Steetz in 1845.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5114724 Gnaphalieae Asterales of Australia Flora of New South Wales Flora of the Northern Territory Flora of Queensland Flora of South Australia Flora of Tasmania Flora of Victoria (Australia) Eudicots of Western Australia Taxa named by Jacques Labillardière