strawflower

strawflower, garden annual ( Helichrysum bracteatum ) of the family Asteraceae (aster family), a favorite as an everlasting but also grown for its fresh flowers. The plant is native to Australia. The flower heads are made up of papery petallike parts and are of various colors. Other everlastings and the bellwort ( Uvularia ) are sometimes called strawflower. Strawflowers are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Asterales, family Asteraceae.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.