Helenium hoopesii - Owls Claws

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.9
Width:	0.45
Synonyms:	Dugaldia hoopesii. (Gray.)Rydb.
Range:	South-western N. America.

Helenium hoopesii (Owls Claws) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.9m and a width of 0.45m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Owls Claws will flower in December to March. the seeds ripen from 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

Owls Claws 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
Owls Claws prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Owls Claws can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Rich soils in coniferous forests, in meadows along stream sides and on wet slopes, 2250 - 3300m in the Southern Rockies[71, 155].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

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]. This species is hardy to about -25°c[187]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A good bee and butterfly plant.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
A chewing gum is obtained from the roots[155, 257].

• Gum - can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant is used as a remedy for vomiting[155, 257]. A snuff made from the crushed blossoms and the leaves of Psoralidium lanceolatum has been inhaled in the treatment of headaches and hay fever[257].

• Miscellany - Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

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

This species is said to be poisonous to sheep. Although no mention of any toxicity to people has been seen it is wise to assume that it is toxic[187].

Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[155]. They are usually boiled up with juniper ash to obtain the dye[244].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

A California Flora.
Munz.
Author: Munz.
Rating:
Publisher : An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1959

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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