Xeranthemum proliferum L. Phaenocoma is a genus of South African plants in the tribe Gnaphalieae within the family Asteraceae.

[2][3] The name is derived from the Greek roots φαίνω (to shine) and κόμη (hair), which refer to dry and shiny involucral bracts.

It occurs in full sun, in mountain and valley Fynbos shrublands, throughout the southern parts of the Western Cape, South Africa.

The purple and pink flowers mostly appear in Spring, on the tips of the upper branches, though they remain for most of the year.

(The other plants commonly given this name include species of Syncarpha, Helichrysum and Edmondia) The flowers remain on the bushes and become gradually more pale through the summer.