Helenium autumnale - Sneezeweed

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.8
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Quebec to Florida, west to Manitoba and Arizona.

Helenium autumnale (Sneezeweed) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.8m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Sneezeweed will flower in February to April. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera

Soil Information

Sneezeweed will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Sneezeweed prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Sneezeweed should not be planted in shady areas.

Wet meadows and marshes[187]. Rich thickets, meadows and shores[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Grows well in ordinary garden soil[1, 111], succeeding in most conditions other than boggy soils[233]. It prefers a fertile moisture retentive soil[200] in a sunny position[108, 111]. Dislikes dry soil[200]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A good bee and butterfly plant[30]. A very ornamental plant[1], some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[187].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The dried nearly mature flower heads are used in a powdered form as a snuff to treat colds and headaches[207, 222, 257]. When made into a tea they are used in the treatment of intestinal worms[222]. The powdered leaves are sternutatory[222, 257]. An infusion of the leaves is laxative and alterative[207]. An infusion of the stems has been used as a wash in the treatment of fevers[257]. The plant contains helenalin, a compound that has shown significant anti-tumour activity[222].

• Alterative - Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
• Cancer - Used in the treatment of cancer.
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Sternutatory - Promotes sneezing and nasal discharges.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on 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, June/July in a frame. Basal cuttings in spring[200]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[111]. This needs to 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.

Known Hazards

The plant is poisonous to ruminants[222]. Contact with the plant might cause dermatitis in sensitive people[222].

Other Uses

The plant contains helenalin, a compound that has insecticidal properties, though it is also toxic to fish and worms[222].

• Insecticide - Kills insects.

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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