Helichrysum marginatum silent struggle

This developing Helichrysum marginatum plant has not yet won the battle for land against its neighbours. Nevertheless, flowery celebrations are in full swing. Chutzpah is clearly not a behavioural feature reserved for one species.

Dark, dead leaves in picture pay testament to the conflict not being plain sailing for the everlasting. Several of the live leaves appear young though, indicative of a plant on a roll. Winner celebrations ignore war wounds. The silvery, woolly-edged leaf margins remind why this plant was given the marginatum specific name.

The leaves on the flowerhead stems are narrower, longer and darker, some of them probably to be designated as bracts. Height translates into rank in certain situations (Pooley, et al, 2025; iNaturalist; https://keys.lucidcentral.org).