Common everlasting facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common everlasting |
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C. apiculatum
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| Chrysocephalum apiculatum (Labill.) Steetz
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Chrysocephalum apiculatum, often called the common everlasting or yellow buttons, is a special plant that grows year after year. It is native to southern Australia. This plant is part of the Asteraceae family, which you might know better as the daisy family. It loves to grow in sunny places with light, well-drained soil, often found in grassy areas. It's also a very important food source for the Australian painted lady butterfly (Vanessa kershawi).
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Discovering the Common Everlasting
The common everlasting plant is known for its bright, cheerful flowers. It's a tough plant that can survive and bloom for many years.
What Does the Common Everlasting Look Like?
This plant usually grows to about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall. It has stems that spread out horizontally, then curve upwards as they get longer.
Its leaves are long and silvery-grey. They hug the stems tightly and are covered in soft, silky hairs. The flowers are bright yellow and shaped like small balls, about 1 centimeter (less than half an inch) across. These yellow flower heads often grow in clusters.
Inside each flower head are tiny, tiny flowers called florets. Like many daisy-like plants, the common everlasting produces seeds. These seeds are carried away by the wind, helping the plant spread. The seeds can grow easily, but they don't stay good for very long.
Why is it Called "Everlasting"?
The name "everlasting" comes from how long its cut flowers last. Even after being picked, they stay fresh-looking for a long time. This makes them popular for flower arrangements.
Where Does This Plant Grow?
The common everlasting is found across many parts of Australia. It grows naturally in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Its Role in Nature and Gardens
This plant is a vital food source for the Australian painted lady butterfly. The butterflies lay their eggs on the plant, and the caterpillars eat its leaves.
In Australia, the common everlasting is becoming more popular as a plant for "cottage gardens." These are gardens that look natural and informal, often filled with a mix of flowers and herbs. Even though it's gaining popularity, many people still don't know about this beautiful native plant.
