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Helenium amarum - (Raf.)H.Rock.

Common Name Bitter Sneezeweed, Sneezeweed
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards 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[274].
Habitats Open ground, roadsides etc[43]. Open woods, fields, pastures and disturbed areas in Texas[274].
Range Eastern N. America - New York to Florida.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Helenium amarum Bitter Sneezeweed, Sneezeweed


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Helenium amarum Bitter Sneezeweed, Sneezeweed
Clarence A. Rechenthin @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Antiphlogistic  Expectorant

The plant is used to clear the nose of mucus[61]. (Is it used as a snuff?[K]) A decoction of the entire plant can be used in a sweat bath to treat dropsy and swellings[254].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grows well in ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a fertile moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[200]. Dislikes dry soils[200]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A good bee and butterfly plant[30]. The whole plant is very aromatic[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia, Texas), Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Hispaniola, Cuba

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.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Helenium autumnaleSneezeweed, Common sneezeweed, Fall sneezeweed, Mountain sneezeweed, False SunflowerPerennial1.8 3-8 FLMHNM021
Helenium hoopesiiOwls Claws, Orange SneezeweedPerennial0.9 4-8 MLMHSNM111
Helenium puberulumRosillaAnnual/Perennial1.5 7-10  LMHNM11 
Inula heleniumElecampane, Elecampane inulaPerennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNM332

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Raf.)H.Rock.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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