Helenium autumnale

Habit: clump forming perennial standing tall and erect with branching, ridged stems. The long, dark green leaves clasp the stem and are lance shaped with a prominent central vein and smooth margins. Flowers are composites, 10-20 bright yellow, recurved ray petals with 3 lobes, surround a half dome of tightly clustered dull yellow green disc flowers. The ray petals drop and the disc flowers ripen into a cluster of dry seeds. Blooms late summer to early fall, August to November, up to frost.

Ecology: sneezeweed is found in moist meadows, near streams, and along ditches at elevations up to 6562 ft (1980 m) in parts of its range, native throughout much of North America.

Growing Conditions: full or partial sun in moist to wet soil, which is high in organic material.

All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.