In common with several other plants of the genus Helichrysum, the immortelle plant possesses a large involucre of dry scale-like or scarious bracts, which preserve their appearance when dried, provided the plant be gathered in proper condition. The colour of the bracts is a deep yellow. The evergreen, downy, gray ash foliage becomes almost white in summer, making Helichrysum orientale an attractive plant for gardening.[2]