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Cressler, Alan
Helenium autumnale var. autumnale
Helenium autumnale L. var. autumnale
Common Sneezeweed
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Helenium autumnale var. canaliculatum, Helenium autumnale var. parviflorum, Helenium canaliculatum, Helenium latifolium, Helenium parviflorum
USDA Symbol: HEAUA
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
The genus is thought to have been named by Linnaeus for Helen of Troy. The legend is that the flowers sprung up from the ground where her tears fell.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Flower: Flower 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: ON , QC , SK
Native Habitat: In meadows, shores, and stream banks in loamy, sandy soil.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil Description: In sandy, loamy soil.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Additional resources
USDA: Find Helenium autumnale var. autumnale in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Helenium autumnale var. autumnale in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Helenium autumnale var. autumnale
Metadata
Record Modified: 2014-09-10Research By: TWC Staff