Xerochrysum bracteatum
Garden straw flower ( Xerochrysum bracteatum )
The Garden straw flower ( Xerochrysum bracteatum, Helichrysum bracteatum ) is a plant from the sunflower family ( Asteraceae). The variety ' Strohmuckl ' was chosen as the Bavarian balcony plant of the year 2005.
Description
The Garden straw flower is an annual plant, the plant height (15 ) reaches 40 to 100 centimeters. The leaves measure 3 to 12 × 0.3 to 3 inches and are pointed on both sides green, hairless or slightly hairy on the underside and glandular - sticky. The heads are on long branches individually terminal. They have a diameter of 1.5 to 5.5 inches. Bracts and flowers of the wild form are golden yellow varieties can also be orange, red, purple, pink or white.
The flowering period ranging from July to September.
Occurrence
The Garden straw flower comes in Australia for signs of burning and landfills.
Use
The garden Helichrysum is used widely as an ornamental plant for summer flowerbeds as well as a cut flower and dried bouquets. It is also cultivated field default. The species is in cultivation since at least 1799. There are some varieties (selection):
- ' Monstrosum ': The heads are different colors and have a diameter of up to 8 inches.
- 'Nanum': This variety reaches stature heights of only 30 to 50 centimeters.