Red everlasting | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Tribe: | Gnaphalieae |
Genus: | Helichrysum |
Species: | H. sanguineum |
Binomial name | |
Helichrysum sanguineum |
Helichrysum sanguineum, commonly known as Red Everlasting (Hebrew: Dam Hamakabim) is a flowering plant of the genus Helichrysum in the daisy family (Asteraceae).
Dam Hamakabim is a protected plant in Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The flower has become the icon of Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism. In Israel, it is known as "Blood of the Maccabees" (Hebrew: דם המכבים, Dam Hamakabim). The name is derived from a legend saying that in every spot where the flower grows, a drop of blood has spilled on the earth.
In Arabic, the flower is known as "دم المسيح" (dam al-Massiah), meaning "blood of the Messiah".