Syncarpha is a genus of 29 species, almost all of which are endemic to the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa. Syncarpha is derived from the Greek syn, meaning ‘together’ or ‘united’, and carphos, meaning any small dry body. The generic name may refer to the way the dry bracts surround the flower head, producing a cone-like structure. The specific name ferruginea is derived from the Latin ferrugineus, meaning ‘rust-coloured’, similarly ferreus, meaning ‘of’ or ‘relating to iron’, referring to the yellow-brown flower heads.

The English common name, everlasting, and Afrikaans common name, sewejaartjie, meaning ‘seven years’, are general terms for various species in Helichrysum, Phaenocoma and Syncarpha, whose dry papery involucral bracts retain their colour for many years after the flowers are collected. Note the retention of colour in the bracts on a herbarium specimen from a 1923 collection of the species (H. Andreae 977) below.

The common names may also be a reference to the opening and closing of the involucral bracts in a diurnal rhythm, long after the plants have died. The bracts open during the day when humidity is relatively low and insect pollinators are active, whereas at night when humidity is higher, the bracts close to protect the florets. The passive opening and closing of the bracts in response to diurnal fluctuations in humidity, makes the flowers look alive long after the plants have died, hence the allusion to the flowers being ‘everlasting’ or ‘immortal’.