Stinking Strawflower
Helichrysum foetidum
- Native to:
- Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Gulf of Guinea Is., Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Helichrysum
- Species:
- Helichrysum foetidum
- USDA Symbol:
- HEFO4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Native to South African fynbos; resprouts after fire and colonizes disturbed areas.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI