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Helenium flexuosum is often confused with:
Helenium autumnale Helenium autumnale
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Coreopsis gladiata Sickle tickseed found in Pender County, NC.
Phlox maculata Form in native habitat
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea

Southern Sneezeweed Helenium flexuosum

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Helenium floridanum
  • Helenium godfreyi
  • Helenium nudiflorum
Phonetic Spelling
hel-EH-nee-um fleks-yoo-OH-sum
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Purple-headed sneezeweed can be found in forests or natural areas and along stream banks and in wet areas. It can become weedy in disturbed areas such as old fields, pastures, and roadsides. It is also used in flower gardens as an ornamental herbaceous perennial. It can be distinguished from other sneezeweeds by its round, purplish center disk. 

Sneezeweed can be cultivated in average to rich soils, needing moist to wet conditions. It should be cut back in early summer to encourage branching and increase flowers. Deadheading will encourage more blooms.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#salt tolerant#rabbit resistant#wetlands#stream banks#moist soil#NC native#rich soils#deer resistant#thickets#naturalizes#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#perennial#weed#boggy sites#pasture
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#salt tolerant#rabbit resistant#wetlands#stream banks#moist soil#NC native#rich soils#deer resistant#thickets#naturalizes#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#perennial#weed#boggy sites#pasture
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Helenium
    Species:
    nudiflorum
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Powdered leaves and flower heads were used in the treatment of colds and congestion by inducing sneezing. Indians used an infusion of the leaves as a laxative.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and midwestern US
    Distribution:
    Eastern and Central US and Canada
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from June to October
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Wheel
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Yellow 3-lobed ray petals and a convex deep purplish brown button head. Blooms from May to August
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    glandular-dotted; lance-shaped, dark green basal leaves to 8” long, with upper leaves that are smaller and less toothed;
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Salivation, elevated temperature and pulse, with difficulty breathing, vomiting, and convulsions. TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Sesquiterpene lactone
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Seeds