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 teretifolium, commonly known as Dune Scrub Everlasting or Heath-leaf Strawflower and synonymously known as Gnaphalium teretifolium or Helichrysum teretifolium var. natalense, is a straggling, thinly-felted, closely leafy shrublet up to 30cm. Leaves stiffly spreading, linear, revolute, hooked at tips, smooth above, white-woolly beneath, margins rolled under; bears dense clusters of bell-shaped, disciform or discoid flowerheads 5x5mm, with creamy-white bracts that are spreading at the tips. It flowers between July and November.