The genus Helichrysum consists of an estimated 600 species, in the sunflower family, Asteraceae. It occurs in Africa (with 244 species in South Africa), Madagascar, Australasia and Eurasia. The plants may be annuals, herbaceous perennials or shrubs, growing to a height of 60 to 90 cm. The genus was a wastebasket taxon, and many of its members have been reclassified in smaller genera, most notably the Everlastings, now in the genus Xerochrysum.

Helichrysum aureum is a perennial herb with unbranched stems that grows from a woody rootstock. It grows to 60cm tall and has golden-yellow flowers from winter to summer. It can be found growing naturally in Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa as far as the Eastern Cape. This member of the Helichrysum genus also has a few synonyms; Gnaphalium aureum, Helichrysum fulgidum, Xeranthemum fulgidum.