Bitter Sneezeweed, Sneezeweed
Helenium amarum
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Helenium amarum is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Open ground, roadsides etc. Open woods, fields, pastures and disturbed areas in Texas.
Eastern N. America - New York to Florida.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is used to clear the nose of mucus. (Is it used as a snuff?) A decoction of the entire plant can be used in a sweat bath to treat dropsy and swellings.
Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.
Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
Other
Rating: 0
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Grows well in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a fertile moisture retentive soil in a sunny position. Dislikes dry soils. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A good bee and butterfly plant. The whole plant is very aromatic.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. If you have sufficient seed it would be worthwhile trying a sowing in situ outdoors in mid to late spring.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
All parts of the plant contain the glycoside gudaldin and can cause toxic symptoms in grazing animals. Cows that have eaten even a small amount of the plant produce extremely bitter, distasteful milk, whilst honey from the flowers is said to be bitter.