The genus Helichrysum comprises approximately 500 species, distributed across Europe, Asia, and particularly Australia and South Africa. Members belong to the family Asteraceae. The generic name Helichrysum is derived from the Greek helios (sun) and chrysos (gold), although flower color is not uniformly yellow across all taxa. The specific epithet petiolare refers to the elongated peduncles of the inflorescences.

Helichrysum petiolare is a perennial, soft-leaved, spreading shrub, native to South Africa. Plants attain 50 cm in height and up to 120 cm in diameter. Leaves are aromatic, orbicular to rounded, 3–3.5 cm long, densely covered with silvery-grey trichomes adaxially and paler abaxially.

Inflorescences are produced from August to September, forming cream-colored capitula borne on long peduncles. In its native range (Cape region, South Africa), the species occurs inland along forest margins and montane slopes. It tolerates light to moderate frost. Growth and form are optimal in full sun. The species is drought-tolerant and exhibits low edaphic specificity, performing best in well-drained, humus-rich soils.

Propagation is typically by semi-hardwood cuttings collected in autumn, although seed propagation is possible. Rapid vegetative growth necessitates occasional pruning to maintain form.

Cultivar selections include ‘Limelight’ (yellow-green foliage, performs best in partial shade, shorter stature, lifespan – 2 years), ‘Aurea’, ‘Sky Net’, and variegated forms such as ‘Ebruri’. In landscape design, H. petiolare is employed as a border plant or for foliar color contrast.

Ethnobotanical uses include treatment of respiratory conditions, hypertension, and wound care. Smoke from combusted leaves was traditionally inhaled as an analgesic, and leaves were used topically to prevent infection. Leaves and inflorescences were also used as bedding material by the Khoikhoi. Mixtures of Helichrysum and Artemisia afra leaves were burned as insect-repellent smoke.