Helenium autumnale is a member of the sunflower family called sneezeweed. It is simillar to bitterweed with an exception to height. Bitterweed stays closer to the ground whereas sneezeweed is known for it's height. According to resources, the common sneezeweed grows a meter high. It's sunflower family traits are clearly seen. It has a large center and wedge like pedals and thin needle like leaves.
Helenium Autumnale has been known to treat tumors. It is not recommended to use this plant for any type of disease. It like bitterweed has a bitter taste and parts of the plant are poisonous. It's a very beautiful weed to use in sunflower arrangements and bouquets for the home and flowerbeds.
The Sneezeweed blooms late summer to fall. The plants are perrinials and need direct sun light to get the full bloom effect. The flowers reseed when the center is dried and falls to the ground. Flowers usually grow into one spot each year since birds do not eat the bitter plant. If you like to keep arrangements, you'll know where to find them if you remember where they were. This is a great plant for empty pieces of land or flowerbeds for people who don't have pets.
Resources:
http://diglib.auburn.edu/collections/wildflower/
http://home.howstuffworks.com/define-helenium-sneezeweed.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneezeweed
http://www.briartech.com/summer/snez/snez.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment