Helenium flexuosum
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 low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Southern sneezeweed is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to central and eastern North America, 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.
Southern sneezeweed grows 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide and can be cultivated in average to rich soils in moist to wet conditions. It should be cut back in early summer to encourage branching and increase flowering. Deadheading will encourage more blooms.
Drooping bright yellow rays surround a purplish-brown rounded dome of florets from late summer into fall. Basal leaves are larger than the stem leaves that occur on the winged stems.
Use southern sneezeweed along a bog, pond or stream, in a pollinator garden or rain garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for powdery mildew, leaf spot and rust.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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 North America
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NS , ON , QC
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract pollinators and 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from June to October
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Yellow 3-lobed ray petals surround a convex deep purplish brown button head. Blooms late summer to fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- glandular-dotted; lance-shaped, dark green basal leaves to 8 inches long, with upper leaves that are smaller and less toothed;
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green winged stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Salt
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
