RESUMO -Neste trabalho foram estudadas as sempre-vivas como sendo um produto natural de importincia para deco~iio de interiores. Como sempre-vivas siio considerados escapos e inflorescancias que conservam a apareocia de estruturas vivas, mesmo depois de destacados das plantas. 0 presente trabalho objetivou estudar as atividades econ6micas relacionadas com esse grupo de plantas, mostrando sua importincia como geradora de renda e de emprego, nos arredores de Diamantina (Minas Gerais) e de divisas para 0 Pars, pois a maior parte da produ~iio 6 exportada para os Estados Unidos e Europa. Atrav6s do levantamento de quantidades comercializadas, pr~os pagos aos coletores e p~os de atacado das principais esp6cies comercializadas na regilio (18 de Enocaulaceae, 10 de Gramineae, 3 de Xyridaceae e 2 de Cyperaceae), calculou-se 0 valor da produ~lio e da comercializa~iio, tendo-se id6ia da gera~iio de renda e volume comercializado. Procurou-se mostrar tamMm, atrav6s da expo~lio, a impon.ancia na ger~iio de di visas. Infere-se, da amilise dos dados, um decr6seimo na exporta~iio, que pode estar relacionado A queda da produ~iio devido a fatores como sobresfo~o na coleta, dificultando a recupera~lio das popula~6es, ou concorrl!ncia de outros parses no mercado. Sugere-se pois incremento das pesquisas no sentido de tornar vi<\vel a cultura sistemMica de esp6cies cultiv<\veis, como fator econ6mico importante para as regi6es de campos rupestres.ABSTRACT -The present work is a study of "everlasting flowers" as a natural product of importance for interior decoration. The term "everlasting flowers" is used for scapes and inflorescences which, even after being detached from the plant, still maintain the appearance of living structures. The economic activities related to this group of plants are considered; their imi><>rtance is demonstrated, as a source of income and employment in the region of Diamantina (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil), and also as a source of revenue for the country: production is largely exported to Europe and the U.S.A. A survey was made of the quantity of such flowers marketed, of prices paid to collectors, and of the wholesale prices of the species most extensively commercialized in the region (18 Eriocaulaceae, 10 Gramineae, 3 Xyridaceae and 2 Cyperaceae); from these figures were calculated the values involved in production and CQIDmercialization, thus providing some idea of the income created and the quantity of plants concerned. The impqrtance of exportation of everlasting flowers as a source of revenue was also considered. Analysis Of data permits inference of a decline in export; this may be due to a fall in production as a result of over-collection and subsequent difficulty in recuperation of populations, or of market competition from other countries. It is suggested that research should be increased with a view to inaking viable the systematic cultivation of those species which can be cultivated, as an important contribution to the economy of regions of campo rupestre.