[15] The genus Helichrysum has 500–600 species in Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean basin, Macaronesia, western and central Asia, and India.

[5] It is termed morphologically variable, meaning it has differing forms depending on habitat and geographical location.

[19] Helichrysum lanceolatum grows well in dry soil[5] and prefers open, sunny aspects and rocky ground.

Achenes are hard-shelled casings for a single seed[23] and are covered with fine, downy hairs that act as parachutes[7] aiding wind dispersal function.

[8] H. lanceolatum flowers from October to January[17] with seeds ripening in February[5] and fruit developing in December.

[5] It is also one of many native shrubs within the coastal, mid-dune plant community, so can tolerate a sandy soil substrate.

[22] Interestingly, a 2004 study showed the H. lanceolatum populations of Central Otago, a drastically modified environment, to be more susceptible to fire and drought, perhaps due to the sparse vegetation cover and disturbed ecology of the area.

[25] While not unpalatable, a 2002 study showed Helichrysum lanceolatum to be less palatable to introduced ungulates than other native species.

[31] The study looked at species from two distant Banks Peninsula populations, at Gibraltar Rock in the southern Port Hills and Long Bay Road in the remote eastern bays;[32] the hybrids studied showed many distinctive traits, of particular note, serrated leaves, a trait of neither parent plant and they demonstrated lower fertility.

[32] The late botanist Tony Druce noted that plants from Paerutu (Surville Cliffs), in Te Paki Ecological District on the Northern most point of the North Island[34] might be a distinct species due to their trailing growth habit.

[14] Druce also identified a large round-leaved form from Hick's Bay and recognized this species as having distinctive characteristics.