#2099 - Xerochrysum viscosum - Sticky Everlasting
AKA Bracteantha viscosa, Helichrysum viscosum, and Helichrysum bracteatum var. viscosum. Commonly called Everlastings, or Paper Daisies, in Australia
Actually a native, which makes a nice change from the last few. Usually an annual, with papery bracts, and found in open woodlands in much of the eastern states.
The related popular garden plant Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower, is also Australian but was first described from Napoleon's first wife Josephine's garden of rare flowers. At the time it was known as Xeranthemum bracteatum. For quite a long time it was known as Helichrysum bracteatum, then in 1991 got promoted to the type species of a new genus, Bracteantha. But the botantists in question were unaware that a Russian botantist had already done that the year before, and his name had precedent. So for the time being bracteatum and viscosum are in Xerochrysum - although genetic evidence suggests that Xerochrysum should itself be split into new genera.
Mt Ainsley, ACT
