Seriphium plumosum

This shrub might first appear to be sprawling, much-branched, grey and banal but looking closer, you can notice that the slender, wiry branches are softly woody and at right angles to the stem. These short shoots are covered with whitish, woolly, clustered leaves, which are tiny, tufted and pressed to the stem, giving the plant a granular appearance.

The flower heads are found near the ends of the main shoots and are assembled in small clusters, forming a spike-like inflorescence. Because of the pale brown bracts around the purple disc florets the spikes appear golden.