The strawflower petals look and feel papery which makes them ideal for drying. When dried, the strawflower can last indefinitely, e.g. in dried-flower arrangements. However, the color of non-dried flowers is much more vibrant than that of dried ones.
The brightly colored bracts attract insects such as hoverflies, native bees, and small beetles that pollinate the florets. The tiny fruits are dispersed by wind, and germinate and grow after fire or on disturbed ground.