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(Helenium amarum)
Bitter Sneezeweed (Helenium amarum)
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kcthetc1
Public Domain
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kcthetc1
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Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: kcthetc1 | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: kcthetc1 | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-06-23T16:16:21-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Helenium amarum, commonly known as Bitter Sneezeweed, is an annual herb native to open fields, roadsides, and waste areas in the South-Central United States. This plant typically reaches 20 to 70 centimeters (8-28 inches) in height and is characterized by its bushy, erect form and narrow to threadlike leaves. The inflorescences consist of numerous daisy-like flower heads, each with a rounded center of up to 250 golden yellow disc florets, surrounded by a fringe of 8-10 usually lighter yellow ray florets that reflex away from the center. The fruit is a tiny achene about a millimeter long. Flowering occurs from late spring to early fall, and the flowers are moderately showy, attracting pollinators.
Bitter Sneezeweed is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and naturalized areas. It is also used for erosion control due to its fast growth rate. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil drainage conditions, from slow to fast. While it is not commonly used in formal garden settings, it can be an interesting addition to wildflower meadows or prairie gardens. Gardeners should be aware that Helenium amarum can be invasive outside its native range and should be planted with caution.CC BY-SA 4.0
Bitter Sneezeweed is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and naturalized areas. It is also used for erosion control due to its fast growth rate. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil drainage conditions, from slow to fast. While it is not commonly used in formal garden settings, it can be an interesting addition to wildflower meadows or prairie gardens. Gardeners should be aware that Helenium amarum can be invasive outside its native range and should be planted with caution.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 0.8-1.3 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to open fields, roadsides, and waste areas in the South-Central United States
Other Names
Common Names: Sneezeweed , Yellow Sneezeweed , Fiveleaf Sneezeweed , Five-Leaf Sneezeweed , American Sneezeweed , Yellowdicks , Bitterweed , Sommarsolbrud , Smal Solbrud , Falso-Girassol
Scientific Names: Helenium amarum , Helenium tenuifolium , Gaillardia amara , Heleniastrum tenuifolium
GBIF Accepted Name: Helenium amarum (Raf.) H.Rock