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Summary
Hymenoxys hoopesii is a perennial plant growing up to 0.90 metres tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is native to Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming in the US. Orange sneezeweed (Hymenoxys hoopesii), or owl’s claws, is a native western U.S. mountain plant. Its roots are aromatic but acrid and resinous, sometimes chewed as a poor gum substitute by Native Americans. Other parts are inedible, and consumption is unsafe due to toxic compounds. USDA Zones 4–10; native, not invasive.
Physical Characteristics
Hymenoxys hoopesii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Heleniastrum hoopesii (A.Gray) Kuntze. Helenium hoopesii A.Gray.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Chewing gum is obtained from the roots[155, 257 ]. Orange sneezeweed (Hymenoxys hoopesii), also called owl’s claws, is a perennial member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae), native to the mountains of the western United States. Like other sneezeweeds and rubberweeds, it contains toxic sesquiterpene lactones (such as hymenoxon and hymenovin), compounds known to poison grazing animals—especially sheep—causing a condition referred to as “spewing sickness.” For this reason, no parts of the plant are recommended as food. The roots of orange sneezeweed are sometimes aromatic, but they rarely exude enough resin to be used as chewing gum, unlike some other species in the genus. When chewed, the roots break apart easily, with a mildly starchy undertone but dominated by acrid, resinous, latex-like flavors. Soft fibers may linger briefly, but they do not provide the gum-like texture sought by foragers. The plant’s flowers, despite the name “orange sneezeweed,” are not orange and have no reported edible use. Overall, orange sneezeweed embodies the less desirable traits of its family and offers negligible food value, with considerable risks if consumed improperly [2-3].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
The plant is used as a remedy for vomiting[155, 257 ]. A snuff made from the crushed blossoms and leaves of Psoralidium lanceolatum has been inhaled to treat headaches and hay fever[257 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[155 ]. They are usually boiled up with juniper ash to obtain the dye[244 ].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
It grows well in ordinary garden soil[1, 111] and succeeds in most conditions other than boggy soils[233 ]. It prefers fertile moisture-retentive soil[200 ] in a sunny position[108, 111 ] and dislikes dry soil[200 ]. This species is hardy to about -25°c[187 ]. Plants seem to be immune to rabbit predation [233 ]. It is a good bee and butterfly plant.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them 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[111 ]. Cuttings of soft wood from the base of the plant, early summer/July in a frame. Basal cuttings in spring[200 ]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stems. Pot them into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they root well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[111 ]. This must be done fairly regularly because the clumps soon become congested[233 ]. 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.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Orange sneezeweed or Owl’s claws (Hymenoxys hoopesii = Helenium hoopesii)
Native Range
Native to the US: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.
As a native species, it is not considered invasive, but its toxicity makes it unsuitable for use as forage or food.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Least Concern
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Expert comment
Author
(A.Gray.)Bierner.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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