Helichrysum retortum

Helichrysum retortum, commonly known as the sea strawflower or the beach strawflower, in Afrikaans as the strooiblom (strawflower) and previously scientifically as Xeranthemum retortum, is a spreading or straggling to mat-forming shrublet sometimes reaching 50 cm in height.

The small, silvery haired leaves are dense and overlapping. They are oblong and channelled with pointed, hooked tips that curve backwards.

The species distribution is very close to the coast in the southwest of the Western Cape, from the Bloubergstrand to the Cape Peninsula and eastwards to Stilbaai.

The habitat is in the winter rainfall region, near the seashore on cliffs, dunes and flats. The plants are adapted to dry, windy summers, exposed to full sun. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Marais, (Ed.), 2017; Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).