Purple-headed 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
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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:
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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 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- 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:
- 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
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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 Description:
- glandular-dotted; lance-shaped, dark green basal leaves to 8” long, with upper leaves that are smaller and less toothed;
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
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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
