S. incana), known as cotton lavender or lavender-cotton,[4] is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the western and central Mediterranean.

The specific epithet chamaecyparissus means "like Chamaecyparis" (ground cypress), though it is not closely related to that plant.

Recognized varieties or subspecies are It is a small evergreen shrub growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall and broad.

Densely covered in aromatic, grey-green leaves, in summer it produces masses of yellow, button-like composite flowerheads, held on slender stems above the foliage.

[8] Numerous cultivars have been produced, of which 'Nana', a dwarf form growing to 25 cm (10 in), has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.