hi, I'll be very honest with you- I am not sure! but I believe your right that they are a type of strawflower. I have researched the names- Xeranthemum - Everlasting, Immortelle - here is a site that was help full. http://www.botany.com/xeranthemum.html I bought them as a unque looking flower for my own garden (not many unique plants in stores here) but for now they are still tiny seedlings in my greenhouse- I was blessed with many times the seed amount that I can personally use so I am sharing. . Thanks for your time and please let me know if you find the final answer. Happy Gardening, Judi