Helichrysum ephelos
Species of plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Helichrysum ephelos is a species of plant from South Africa.
| Helichrysum ephelos | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Helichrysum |
| Species: | H. ephelos |
| Binomial name | |
| Helichrysum ephelos Hillard | |
Description
The stems of this mat-forming perennial grow from a stolon that roots and branches freely.[1] It produces multiple rosettes of leaves. The tops of the leaves are covered with short white hairs and the bottoms with felt-like silky hairs. Only the tips are free.[1] Flowers, which are present between February and May, are webbed together at the ends of branches. The outer tips of the branches are light brown and the inner tips yellow.[1]
Distribution and habitat
This plant is known only from the KwaZulu Natal province in South Africa.[2] It grows on earth banks and tussocks at wetlands and the marshy sources of streams on the Fort Nottingham Commonage and the top of Insizwa Mountain.[1][3]
Conservation
Helichrysum ephelos is considered to be rare by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. While it has no immediate threats, this species is a habitat specialist known from only six sites.[3]