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Common sneezeweed Facts

Common sneezeweed Facts
Common sneezeweed is herbaceous plant that belongs to the daisy family. It originates from the North America. Common sneezeweed can be found in the meadows and areas near the streams and ponds. It grows on the fertile, well-drained soil exposed to direct sunlight. Common sneezeweed is usually cultivated as garden plant because of its numerous, decorative flower heads. Cut flowers can survive up to 2 weeks and they are often used in ornamental purposes, for the manufacture of bouquets for the vases.
Interesting Common sneezeweed Facts:
Common sneezeweed has erect stem with numerous branches on the upper part of the plant. It can reach 2 to 5 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in width.
Common sneezeweed develops large number of lanceolate or narrow, elongated leaves that are alternately arranged on the stem. Leaves do not have petioles (they are directly attached to the stem).
Common sneezeweed produces numerous brightly colored flower heads. Each flower head consists of showy, petal-like ray florets on the periphery and smaller, disk florets densely packed in the middle of the flower head.
Ray florets are usually red, orange, yellow or brown colored and fan-shaded. They have three lobes on the outer edge. Cone-shaped center of the flower head is usually dark brown or yellow colored.
Common sneezeweed blooms from mid-summer to the fall. Flowers contain large quantities of nectar which attracts bees and butterflies, main pollinators of this plant.
Fruit of common sneezeweed is brown or rust-colored cypsela filled with one seed.
Common sneezeweed propagates only via seed.
Despite its name, pollen of common sneezeweed does not trigger allergic reaction. Powder made of dry leaves was used in the past to induce sneezing and facilitate elimination of the evil spirits from the body.
Scientific name of the plant: "Helenium", originates from Greek mythology and widespread belief that common sneezeweed started to grow from the ground soaked with tears of Helen of Troy. Common sneezeweed is also known as Helen's flower.
Pumilum, Bruno, Kupfersprudel, Butterpat and Chippersfield Orange are some of the best known and most commonly cultivated varieties of common sneezeweed.
Leaves, flowers and seed of common sneezeweed contain compounds that are toxic for humans. Ingestion of large quantities of common sneezeweed can induce death. Lower doses are associated with excessive salivation, difficulty breathing, increased body temperature, vomiting and convulsions.
Common sneezeweed is rich source of sesquiterpene lactone, compound that is poisonous for domestic animals (especially sheep), fish and dogs.
Large quantities of toxic chemicals in the common sneezeweed provide protection against large herbivores.
Native Americans used common sneezeweed in treatment of fever and common cold.
Common sneezeweed is perennial plant that can survive from 4 to 5 years in the wild.


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