Also commonly known as the dwarf curry plant, this strongly aromatic subspecies is often found growing wild as well as for cultivation on the island communities of Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, Cyprus, and the Balearic Islands. It is thought to be native to the Mediterranean basin. This subspecies has two chemotypes, one containing the all-important neryl acetate, and the other containing the sesquiterpene, rosifoliol.  Likely because of the two chemotypes, there can be a significant variability in appearance from one Helichrysum microphyllum plant to the next. For example, on the island of Majorca in the Baleares, plants are greenish with very short leaves, and tend to have compact growing habits. However, on the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, the plant is even smaller, reaching only 30-40 cm high and is distinct in that it has white hairs covering the stems. It has been said that one can tell the geographic origin of these two subspecies after a cursory glance due to their distinct appearances. As a dwarf shrub, a general rule is that the plant will be smaller than other Helichrysum species found growing nearby. This subspecies does have the characteristic yellow inflorescences clustered in small heads. The flowering period is from June to September, in the height of summer.