Hilliard (1983) divided this large and heterogeneous genus in 30 morphological groups. But the genus remains controversial and is considered by many to be an artificial genus. The taxonomy of this large
polymorphic and probably
polyphyletic genus is complex and not yet satisfactorily resolved. Several Australian species, such as
H. acuminatum and
H. bracteatum, have been reclassified in the genus
Xerochrysum in 1991, resp. as
X. subundulatum and
X. bracteatum. In 1989, misaligned species of
Helichrysum were reclassified in
Syncarpha. Species included in
Pseudognaphalium,
Anaphalis,
Achyrocline and
Humeocline are probably congeneric with
Helichrysum. Australian species have also been reclassified to the genus
Chrysocephalum, including
Chrysocephalum semipapposum and
Chrysocephalum apiculatum. ==Uses==