There’s a reason Helichrysum has earned names like “everlasting,” “strawflower,” and “golden immortelle.” Across Africa, Eurasia, Madagascar, and even parts of Australia, this remarkable genus has adapted into an astonishing range of forms – from compact alpine cushions on windswept peaks to sprawling coastal pioneers on dunes, and tall, aromatic shrubs rising through savanna grassland. Many species seem almost sculpted for harshness: felted leaves that reflect heat, resinous scent glands that reduce water loss, and papery bracts that hold their colour long after flowering.

In southern Africa especially, Helichrysum becomes a signature of wild landscapes. Some species carpet high Drakensberg slopes like silver mats; others form tidy, upright tufts in montane grassland; and some are so specialised that they cling to cliff faces or root into shallow pockets of stony soil. The flowers, often arranged in tight button-clusters or open daisy-like heads, glow in tones of yellow, cream, white, pink, copper, red, and rose – and in many species the “petals” are actually brilliantly coloured bracts that preserve their beauty even when dried.

Beyond their ornamental appeal, Helichrysum carries deep cultural importance. Many species are traditionally used for fragrance, medicinal preparations, ceremonial burning, and as protective plants. For modern growers, they offer the irresistible combination of wild provenance, drought resilience, and striking textures – a true collector’s genus, equally suited to naturalistic gardens, rockeries, alpine troughs and habitat restoration planting.

Helichrysum pallidum (Helichrysum agrostophilum nemorosum, Helichrysum undatum agrostophilum, Helichrysum undatum pallidum) – Pale Everlasting

Bold foliage and soft, pale inflorescences make Helichrysum pallidum a dramatic South African indigenous perennial for larger wildflower plantings: it often has a solitary stem that can reach around 650 mm, anchored by a stout woody rootstock and notably large leaves. The heads form a compact, flat-topped display, with creamy to pale yellow bracts that keep the plant looking luminous even in muted weather.

Its distribution is broad across South Africa’s grassland regions and adjoining areas, extending from the eastern highlands (Limpopo and Mpumalanga) through Eswatini and KwaZulu-Natal, into parts of the Free State and Lesotho, and southwards through the Eastern Cape ranges. That wide ecological amplitude makes it a strong candidate for both South African gardeners and international growers seeking a robust African everlasting.

Flowering is recorded from August through February, giving a long season of display. The species also carries recorded vernacular names in southern Africa, underscoring its presence in local landscapes and knowledge systems, while still shining as an ornamental and “everlasting” for dried use.