# Helenium > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Helenium > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Helenium.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helenium > Source revision: 1343759554 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Genus of flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae Sneezeweeds Helenium autumnale Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Embryophytes Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Spermatophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Subfamily: Asteroideae Tribe: Helenieae Subtribe: Gaillardiinae Genus: Helenium L. 1753 not Mill. 1754[1] Synonyms[2] Oxylepis Benth. Hecubaea DC. Mesodetra Raf. Grahamia Spreng. Brassavola Adans. Picradenia Hook. Cephalophora Cav. Graemia Hook. Heleniastrum Heist. ex Fabr. Actinea Juss. Actinella Pers. Leptophora Raf. Leptopoda Nutt. Tetrodus Cass. ***Helenium*** is a [genus](/source/Genus) of [annuals](/source/Annual_plant) and [herbaceous](/source/Herbaceous) [perennial plants](/source/Perennial_plant) in the family [Asteraceae](/source/Asteraceae), [native](/source/Native_plant) to the Americas.[3][4] They bear yellow or orange daisy-like [composite flowers](/source/Pseudanthium). A number of these species (particularly *[Helenium autumnale](/source/Helenium_autumnale)*) have the [common name](/source/Common_name) **sneezeweed**, based on the former use of their dried leaves in making [snuff](/source/Herbal_smokeless_tobacco). It was inhaled to cause sneezing that would supposedly rid the body of evil spirits. Larger species may grow up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall.[5] The genus is named for [Helen of Troy](/source/Helen_of_Troy), daughter of [Zeus](/source/Zeus) and [Leda](/source/Leda_(mythology)).[6][7] *Helenium* species are used as food plants by the [larvae](/source/Larva) of some [Lepidoptera](/source/Lepidoptera) species including *[Phymatopus behrensii](/source/Phymatopus)*. Genus level properties: most conspicuously globe-like disk-shaped flowers, rays three-lobed at tip. ## Species [2][8][9] - *[Helenium amarum](/source/Helenium_amarum)* (Raf.) H.Rock - eastern + south-central United States, California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Cuba, Dominican Republic - *[Helenium apterum](/source/Helenium_apterum)* (S.F.Blake) Bierner - Durango - *[Helenium argentinum](/source/Helenium_argentinum)* Ariza - Argentina - *[Helenium arizonicum](/source/Helenium_arizonicum)* S.F.Blake- Arizona - *[Helenium aromaticum](/source/Helenium_aromaticum)* (Hook.) L.H.Bailey - Chile, Peru - *[Helenium atacamense](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_atacamense&action=edit&redlink=1)* Cabrera - Chile, Peru - *[Helenium autumnale](/source/Helenium_autumnale)* L. - much of United States + Canada - *[Helenium bigelovii](/source/Helenium_bigelovii)* A.Gray - California, Oregon, Arizona - *[Helenium bolanderi](/source/Helenium_bolanderi)* A.Gray - California, Oregon - *[Helenium brevifolium](/source/Helenium_brevifolium)* (Nutt.) Alph.Wood - southeastern United States - *[Helenium campestre](/source/Helenium_campestre)* Small - Arkansas, Louisiana - *[Helenium chihuahuense](/source/Helenium_chihuahuense)* Bierner - Chihuahua, Durango - *[Helenium donianum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_donianum&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Hook. & Arn.) Seckt - Argentina - *[Helenium drummondii](/source/Helenium_drummondii)* H.Rock - Texas, Louisiana - *[Helenium elegans](/source/Helenium_elegans)* DC. - United States (southern Great Plains), northeastern Mexico - *[Helenium fimbriatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_fimbriatum&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Michx.) A.Gray - southeastern United States - *[Helenium flexuosum](/source/Helenium_flexuosum)* Raf. - eastern + central United States + Canada - *[Helenium glaucum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_glaucum&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Cav.) Stuntz - Chile - *[Helenium hoopesii](/source/Helenium_hoopesii)* - *[Helenium insulare](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_insulare&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Phil.) Cabrera - Chile - *[Helenium integrifolium](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_integrifolium&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Guatemala, Mexico - *[Helenium laciniatum](/source/Helenium_laciniatum)* A.Gray - Sonora, Sinaloa - *[Helenium linifolium](/source/Helenium_linifolium)* Rydb. - southern Texas - *[Helenium longiaristatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_longiaristatum&action=edit&redlink=1)* Cuatrec. - Argentina - *[Helenium mexicanum](/source/Helenium_mexicanum)* Kunth - Mexico, Central America - *[Helenium microcephalum](/source/Helenium_microcephalum)* DC. - southwestern United States, northeastern Mexico - *[Helenium ovallense](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_ovallense&action=edit&redlink=1)* Bierner - Chile - *[Helenium pinnatifidum](/source/Helenium_pinnatifidum)* (Schwein. ex Nutt.) Rydb. - southeastern United States - *[Helenium polyphyllum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_polyphyllum&action=edit&redlink=1)* Small - central Mississippi Valley - *[Helenium puberulum](/source/Helenium_puberulum)* DC. - Baja California, California, Oregon - *[Helenium quadridentatum](/source/Helenium_quadridentatum)* Labill. - southeastern United States, Mexico, Cuba, Belize - *[Helenium radiatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_radiatum&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Less.) Seckt - Uruguay, Argentina - *[Helenium scaposum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_scaposum&action=edit&redlink=1)* Britton - Cuba - *[Helenium scorzonerifolium](/source/Helenium_scorzonerifolium)* (DC.) A.Gray - Mexico, Guatemala - *[Helenium thurberi](/source/Helenium_thurberi)* A.Gray - Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Chihuahua, Arizona - *[Helenium tinctorium](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_tinctorium&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Molina) J.F.Macbr. - Chile - *[Helenium urmenetae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_urmenetae&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Phil.) Cabrera - Chile - *[Helenium vallenariense](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helenium_vallenariense&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Phil.) Bierner - Chile - *[Helenium vernale](/source/Helenium_vernale)* Walter - southeastern United States - *[Helenium virginicum](/source/Helenium_virginicum)* S.F.Blake - Virginia, Missouri - helenium 'El dorado'. - 'helenium 'Flamingo'. - helenium 'El dorado'. - *Helenium autumnale*. - Zaadbundel van een Helenium 'El Dorado in maart. ## Cultivation *Helenium* hybrid "Moerheim Beauty" [\[1\]](http://www.mobot.org/gardinghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=C940). Numerous [cultivars](/source/Cultivars) have been developed for garden use - mainly from *H. autumnale* and *H. bigelovii*. They are useful for late summer and fall bloom, usually in less formal compositions. They are appropriate for native gardens in areas where they are indigenous, and they look wonderfully in bouquets. Annual species are easily grown from seed, and perennials should be divided every year in order to retain their vigor. The soil should be fertile with a generous amount of organic matter in the form of compost, manure or other decayed organic matter in addition to, perhaps, an application of a complete fertilizer in spring. Heleniums should be grown in full sun average to moist soil with good drainage. They are drought tolerant, but should be watered on planting and regularly until established. ### Cultivars The following have gained the [Royal Horticultural Society](/source/Royal_Horticultural_Society)'s [Award of Garden Merit](/source/Award_of_Garden_Merit):-[10] - 'Baudirektor Linne'[11] - 'Blütentisch'[12] - 'Butterpat'[13] - 'Dunkle Pracht' [14] - 'Feuersiegel'[15] - 'Gartensonne'[16] - 'Karneol'[17] - 'Moerheim Beauty'[18] - 'Ring of Fire'[19] - 'Rubinzwerg'[20] - 'Sahin's Early Flowerer'[21] - 'Waltraut'[22] - 'Wesergold'[23] The UK [National Collection](/source/National_Plant_Collection) of heleniums is located at Yew Tree House, Hall Lane, [Hankelow](/source/Hankelow). near Audlem in Cheshire.[24][25] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Tropicos, search for *Helenium*](http://www.tropicos.org/NameSearch.aspx?name=Helenium&commonname=) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-i_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-i_2-1) [Flann, C (ed) 2009+ Global Compositae Checklist](https://archive.today/20141130085815/http://dixon.iplantcollaborative.org/CompositaeWeb/default.aspx?Page=NameDetails&TabNum=0&NameId=5c347a80-53b0-44e5-b338-f46a5c8bda35) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Linnaeus, Carl von. 1753. Species Plantarum 2: 886](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/358907#page/328/mode/1up) in Latin 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Tropicos, Helenium L](http://www.tropicos.org/Name/40022555) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Hughes-Jones 2012](#CITEREFHughes-Jones2012), p. 38 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Flora of North America Vol. 21 Page 426 Sneezeweed *Helenium* Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 886. 1753; Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 377. 1754.](http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=114856) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Homer. Circa 760–710 BCE. Iliad.](/source/Iliad) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution maps](http://bonap.net/NAPA/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Helenium) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Turner, B. L. 2013. The comps of Mexico. A systematic account of the family Asteraceae (chapter 11: tribe Helenieae). Phytologia Memoirs 16: 1–100 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["AGM Plants - Ornamental"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf) (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 43. Retrieved 3 March 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Baudirektor Linne'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/98664/Helenium-Baudirektor-Linne/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Blütentisch'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/50142/Helenium-Blutentisch-Foerster/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Butterpat'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/64441/Helenium-Butterpat/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["*Helenium* 'Dunkle Pracht'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/300285/Helenium-Dunkle-Pracht/Details). RHS. Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Feuersiegel'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/54674/Helenium-Feuersiegel/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Gartensonne'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/99269/Helenium-Gartensonne/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Karneol'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/135961/Helenium-Karneol/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Moerheim Beauty'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/89456/Helenium-Moerheim-Beauty/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Ring of Fire'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/175728/Helenium-Ring-of-Fire/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Rubinzwerg'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/127493/Helenium-Rubinzwerg/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Sahin's Early Flowerer'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/126137/Helenium-Sahin-s-Early-Flowerer/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Waltraut'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/218279/Helenium-Waltraut/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Helenium* 'Wesergold'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/152206/Helenium-Wesergold/Details). Retrieved 30 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Welcome to Chester & Cheshire, Helenium National Collection Weekend"](http://visitchester.newmindmedia.com/whats-on-widget-collection-2014/helenium-national-collection-weekend-p144491). Retrieved 2014-08-29.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** [Special Perennials, National Collections of *Helenium* and *Centaurea*, Hankelow, Cheshire, United Kingdom](http://www.specialperennials.com/) ### Bibliography - Everitt, J.H.; Lonard, R.L.; Little, C.R. (2007). *Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico*. Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-89672-614-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-89672-614-2) - Hughes-Jones, Martin (2012). "Soaking up the sun". *[The Garden](/source/The_Garden_(Royal_Horticultural_Society))*. **137** (8). [Peterborough](/source/Peterborough): [Royal Horticultural Society](/source/Royal_Horticultural_Society): 36–40. - Media related to [Helenium](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Helenium) at Wikimedia Commons Taxon identifiers Helenium Wikidata: Q1632842 Wikispecies: Helenium APNI: 75909 CoL: 635JB EoL: 37974 EPPO: 1HENG FNA: 114856 FoAO2: Helenium FoC: 114856 GBIF: 5401814 GRIN: 5469 iNaturalist: 53093 IPNI: 30007849-2 ITIS: 36005 NBN: NHMSYS0000459257 NCBI: 53720 NZOR: 3dc21165-b2af-4246-9fa1-db26c40dd26c Open Tree of Life: 661684 PLANTS: HELEN POWO: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30007849-2 VASCAN: 1232 WFO: wfo-4000017185 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Helenium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helenium) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helenium?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.