Common Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale, commonly called sneezeweed, is an erect, clump-forming, native perennial which occurs in moist soils along streams, ponds or ditches and in spring-fed meadows, prairie and wet open ground. Typically grows 3-5' tall on rigid, distinctively winged stems which branch near the top. Features clusters of daisy-like flowers (2" diameter) with distinctive wedge-shaped, bright yellow rays (three-lobed at the tips) and prominent, dome-like, dull yellow center disks. Flowers appear over a lengthy late summer to autumn (sometimes to first frost) bloom as indicated by species name. Alternate, lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 6" long).

Genus name comes from the Greek name helenion for another plant named for Helen of Troy.

Specific epithet refers to the plant's autumn flowering.

Powdered disk flowers and leaves of this species have in the past been dried and used as snuff, thus giving rise to the common name of sneezeweed.