Everlasting, elychrisum , a genus of flowering plant, composed of several incised florets in the shape of a star, borne by a sporophyte, supported by a scaly, shimmering calyx, and of beautiful gold and silver colors. The sporophyte then becomes a seed covered in pappi. Tournefort, Institutiones rei herbariae . See Plant.

Everlasting , also called gold button or yellow amaranth, was named stoechas citrina, angustifolia by Tournefort. Its root is single, thick, ligneous, and emits an odor similar to that of elemi gum. Its stems, which grow to a height of one or two feet, are downy, white, and covered in small, narrow leaves that are villous and whitish. Its flowers bloom at the top of the stems, gathered in groups similar to heads or bouquets that are composed of several identical incised florets whose tops resemble stars, are of a citrine color, and are supported by scaly calyxes that are dry, yellow, and shiny. The seed that follows each floret is oblong, scented, acrid, fuzzy, and covered in a pappus. This plant prefers a dry, sandy and arid environment in hot countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Provence, and Languedoc near Montpellier; it possesses a variety of medicinal qualities but is only grown in gardens for its flower, which is very beautiful and has a strong and pleasant scent.

If it is cut from the plant before it begins to wilt and is kept in a dry place, it will keep well for several years, perhaps because its scaly calyx is devoid of moisture; in any case, this quality renders it worthy in our language of the name everlasting. Women put them in their hair as a decoration and for this purpose they are preferable to artificial flowers. Portuguese and Spanish peoples greatly cherish them and cultivate them in their gardens in large quantities, independently from those growing in the fields, to decorate their chapels and their churches; interested parties in these countries do not want for several beautiful varieties of this flower which seems made for their soil.