Helichrysums

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A diverse group of flowering plants known for their dried flowers, often used in arrangements or as decorative elements
2. Plants belonging to the Asteraceae family, celebrated for their longevity and vibrant colors
3. Hardy, sun-loving perennials valued in gardens for their ability to retain shape and color even when dried and preserved

Etymology: Helichrysums take their name from two Greek words, "helios" (sun) and "chrysos" (gold), so the name means roughly "sun-gold." The papery, petal-like parts of the flower are actually bracts, modified leaves that surround the true tiny flowers. Those bracts hold their colour and stiffness after drying, which explains both the golden name and the plant's use in dried arrangements. The plural form "helichrysums" is simply the ordinary English plural of the genus-level noun. Common names for these plants reflect the same quality of lasting colour. The strawflower, Helichrysum bracteatum, is one familiar example, and the Mediterranean species Helichrysum stoechas is known in French as "immortelle," meaning "everlasting."