Sneezeweed, Common sneezeweed, Fall sneezeweed, Mountain sneezeweed, False Sunflower
Helenium autumnale
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Brown, Orange, Red, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Helenium autumnale is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. 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): 1.8
Where it is found
Wet meadows and marshes. Rich thickets, meadows and shores. Low, moist calcareous soils in Texas.
Eastern N. America - Quebec to Florida, west to Manitoba and Arizona.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The dried nearly mature flower heads are used in a powdered form as a snuff to treat colds and headaches. When made into a tea they are used in the treatment of intestinal worms. The powdered leaves are sternutatory. An infusion of the leaves is laxative and alterative. An infusion of the stems has been used as a wash in the treatment of fevers. The plant contains helenalin, a compound that has shown significant anti-tumour activity.
Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.
Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
Sternutatory: Promotes sneezing and nasal discharges.
Other
Rating: 0
The plant contains helenalin, a compound that has insecticidal properties, though it is also toxic to fish and worms.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Seashore. Grows well in ordinary garden soil, succeeding in most conditions other than boggy soils. It prefers a fertile moisture retentive soil in a sunny position. Dislikes dry soil. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A good bee and butterfly plant. A very ornamental plant, some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value. Special Features: North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Wetlands plant, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed it might be worthwhile trying a sowing in mid to late spring in situ outdoors. Cuttings of soft wood from the base of the plant, June/July in a frame. Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. This needs to be done fairly regularly because the clumps soon become congested. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-8
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The plant is poisonous to ruminants. Contact with the plant might cause dermatitis in sensitive people.