Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Incorporated

Helichrysum sp. in Black Hill, Morialta and Horsnell Gully Conservation Parks

COMPOSITAE

Helichrysm scorpioides
Morialta CP, 27 November2005

Helichrysum
everlastings

Tbe name Helichrysum is made from two Greek words; Helios meaning sun and chrysos meaning gold. Clearly a reference to the bright yellow/gold flowers.

Some plants previously known under the Helichrysum genus are now known as Chrysocephalum.

The plant lists show Helichrysum scorpioides as growing in all three of our parks.

Helichrysum scorpioides
button everlasting

Scorpioides meaning of course, like a scorpion, this is a reference to the twisted bracts.

Morialta Conservation Park 19 October 2006, Helichrysum scorpioides.

Morialta Consevation Park 19 October 2006, Helichrysum scorpioides.

These plants grow to about 30cm tall, they are perenials, and can form small clumps. The flowers are about 3cm in diameter.

Fire Response
A population of Helichrysum scorpioides survives a fire event by regrowing from the base. The roots and base stems can survive a fire event, and resprout. While young plants will not survive fire, ,the older plants will quickly regrow to flowering stage. There is medium confidence that a population would survive a fire event, but they are unlikely to populate a new area.

Morialta Conservation Park 19 October 2006, Helichrysum scorpioides.

Morialta Consevation Park 19 October 2006, Helichrysum scorpioides.

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New page added 16 February 2009

Sources: eFlora of South Australia, anbg.gov.au, Encyclopeadia of Australian Plants.