Everlasting (Immortelle) Flower Botanical Features and Agriculture.

Latin: Helichrysum italicum Roth.
Local Names: Immortelle, Italian strawflower
English Name: Everlasting (Immortelle)

Botanical Features:

Helichrysum italicum is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is sometimes called the curry plant because of the strong smell of its leaves. It spreads naturally in our country. It is a perennial herbaceous plant. It has a very strong root system. Everlasting flower blooms yellow flowers from June. The height varies between 40-60 cm in many branching plants. The leaves are gray-green in color and have a distinctive elongated structure. It does not shed its leaves and the above-ground parts do not dry out in winter, but plant growth stops. From the spring, flower stalks and accordingly flowers blooms.

Agriculture:

Everlasting flower is an important essential oil plant cultivated especially in European countries. It is generally cultivated on sloping and stony lands where there is not much rainfall, there is no irrigation facility. The Everlasting is damaged in base lands and heavy textured soils that hold water. Production in the plant is practically made with steel. Seedlings obtained from cuttings planted in rooting medium are planted in the field in March-April in spring or in October-November in autumn. Planting density can be done as 50x30 cm or 70x30 cm. Here, row selection is made according to the use of the intermediate hoeing machine. Approximately 5000-7000 seedlings are planted per a decare.

Everlasting flower begins to bloom from the first year it is planted. However, while 50% flower yield is obtained from the plants in the 2nd year, it is fully yielded from the 3rd year. The Everlasting can yield about 200 kg of dried flowers per decare at the full yield period.

Content and Active Ingredients:

Everlasting flowers contain essential oil. The amount of essential oil is around 0.3%. The main components of the essential oil are Isosalipurposide, Helichrysin-A, Helichrysin-B, Nerol, Rosifoliol, 10-Hydroxytremetone, Arzanol, Helipyrone, Mycropyrone.

Usage areas:

Cosmetics: Anti-aging, skin care, scar healing, perfume, creams
Food Supplements: Spices, distilled water
Beverage Aroma: Herbal tea, flower water
Pet Health, Food, Cosmetics: Fattening food, cat/dog food, shampoo, odor remover, dog urine pads, cat litter, rodent shavings, lint roller
Herbal Medicine: Pediatric syrup, aging serum, insecticide and repellent,
Cleaning: Soap
Extract Form: Powder and liquid
Active ingredients: Arzanol, Ursolic acid, Helipyrone, Rosifoliol, Nerol, Mycropyrone, 10-hydroxytremetone, Isosalipurposide, Acetoxytremetone, Coumarates, Scopoletine, Gnapholiol, Chlorogenic acid, Apigenin-7-glucoside, Naringenin, Caffeic acid, Luteolin