Description
Although it is less prevalent today, elecampane, also known as Inula helenium, is a perennial herb in the aster family with a long history of medical usage. Its long stalks, light green foliage, and bright yellow blooms with huge seed heads in the center give it an appearance similar to a sunflower plant. Compared to sunflowers, elecampane flowers are substantially smaller, but it has massive leaves that can reach a length of two feet. Elecampane is not a particularly showy plant, but it is simple to grow. Nowadays, it’s typically planted as a novelty in cottage gardens or wildflower gardens, having once been grown mainly for its use in herbal medicine.
Habitat
It is native to Eurasia, ranging from Spain to the western Chinese region of Xinjiang, and it has naturalized in some areas of North America. It grows best in rich, wet, well-drained calcareous soils and is more at home in full sun than in partial shade. It grows on the edges of highways, in fields, meadows, grasslands, and moist pastures.
Uses
Elecampane root and other plants of the Inula genus have long been used in traditional medicine to thin mucus, reduce coughing, encourage sweating, ease vomiting, and destroy bacteria.
Varieties
Elecampane does not have any designated cultivars; however, it is occasionally mistaken with three other species in the Inula genus:
The British yellowhead, I. britannica, has flowers that resemble elecampane, although it has considerably smaller leaves. If it gets away from cultivation, it may become an invasive plant.
Although I. hookeri, sometimes known as hooker inula, resembles elecampane in appearance, it is typically a shorter plant that seldom reaches a height of more than three feet.
Standing two feet tall, I. salicina, sometimes known as Irish fleabane, is a species of wildflower that is becoming fewer and further between. Despite having somewhat similar flowers to elecampane, it has significantly smaller leaves.
Plant Care
- Light
Elecampane can withstand full sun, although it thrives in partial shade.
- Soil
As long as the soil drains properly, elecampane don’t require exact soil conditions. From sand to clay, the plants can withstand a variety of soil conditions. Ideal soil is a moist, semi-fertile loam.
- Water
To keep the soil moist but not soggy, water as needed. Elecampane is a wildflower, so it doesn’t need a set watering schedule, but good, thorough soaking will help it develop strong roots that can be harvested.
- Temperature and Humidity
Although elecampane can thrive in a variety of climates and temperatures, zones with moderate summers and frigid winters are ideal for it. Extremely hot and muggy climates are bad for its growth.
- Fertilizer
Commercial fertilizers or flower food are not necessary for elecampane blooms, and organic feeding is recommended if you intend to harvest the roots for medicinal purposes. Just add compost as a top dressing to the soil in the spring.
Table
