Syncarpha milleflora

Syncarpha milleflora is one of 28 fynbos species of this genus of everlasting flowers. Other genera producing daisy flowerheads surrounded by dry bracts that last long in flower arrangements using no water, the much admired sewejaartjies (little seven years) and strawflowers, are Helichrysum, Edmondia, Petalacte and Phaenocoma.

The Afrikaans common name suggests that these flowers will bring beauty for seven years; the everlasting name being more ambitious.

S. milleflora grows in mountain fynbos from the Little Karoo to the Eastern Cape as far as Grahamstown (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; www.redlist.sanbi.org).