View source for Helenium

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Sneezeweeds
| image = Helenium autumnale1.jpg
| image_caption = ''[[Helenium autumnale]]''
| display_parents = 3
| taxon = Helenium
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]] 1753 not Mill. 1754<ref>[http://www.tropicos.org/NameSearch.aspx?name=Helenium&commonname= Tropicos, search for ''Helenium'']</ref>
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=i>[https://archive.today/20141130085815/http://dixon.iplantcollaborative.org/CompositaeWeb/default.aspx?Page=NameDetails&TabNum=0&NameId=5c347a80-53b0-44e5-b338-f46a5c8bda35 Flann, C (ed) 2009+ Global Compositae Checklist ]</ref>
| synonyms=
* ''Oxylepis'' <small>Benth.</small>
* ''Hecubaea'' <small>DC.</small>
* ''Mesodetra'' <small>Raf.</small>
* ''Grahamia'' <small>Spreng.</small>
* ''Brassavola'' <small>Adans.</small>
* ''Picradenia'' <small>Hook.</small>
* ''Cephalophora'' <small>Cav.</small>
* ''Graemia'' <small>Hook.</small>
* ''Heleniastrum'' <small>Heist. ex Fabr.</small>
* ''Actinea'' <small>Juss.</small>
* ''Actinella'' <small>Pers.</small>
* ''Leptophora'' <small>Raf.</small>
* ''Leptopoda'' <small>Nutt.</small>
* ''Tetrodus'' <small>Cass.</small>
}}

'''''Helenium''''' is a [[genus]] of [[Annual plant|annuals]] and [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]]s in the family [[Asteraceae]], [[Native plant|native]] to the Americas.<ref>[https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/358907#page/328/mode/1up Linnaeus, Carl von. 1753.  Species Plantarum 2: 886] in Latin</ref><ref>[http://www.tropicos.org/Name/40022555 Tropicos, Helenium L]</ref>

They bear yellow or orange daisy-like [[pseudanthium|composite flowers]]. A number of these species (particularly ''[[Helenium autumnale]]'') have the [[common name]] '''sneezeweed''', based on the former use of their dried leaves in making [[Herbal smokeless tobacco|snuff]]. It was inhaled to cause sneezing that would supposedly rid the body of evil spirits. Larger species may grow up to {{convert|2|m|ft}} tall.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hughes-Jones|2012|p=38}}</ref>

The genus is named for [[Helen of Troy]], daughter of [[Zeus]] and [[Leda (mythology)|Leda]].<ref>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=114856 Flora of North America Vol. 21 Page 426 Sneezeweed ''Helenium'' Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 886. 1753; Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 377. 1754. ]</ref><ref>[[Iliad|Homer. Circa 760–710 BCE. Iliad.]]</ref>

''Helenium'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Phymatopus|Phymatopus behrensii]]''.

Genus level properties: most conspicuously globe-like disk-shaped flowers, rays three-lobed at tip.

==Species==
<ref name=i/><ref>[http://bonap.net/NAPA/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Helenium Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution maps]</ref><ref>Turner, B. L. 2013. The comps of Mexico. A systematic account of the family Asteraceae (chapter 11: tribe Helenieae). Phytologia Memoirs 16: 1–100</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* ''[[Helenium amarum]]'' <small>(Raf.) H.Rock</small> - eastern + south-central United States, California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Cuba, Dominican Republic
* ''[[Helenium apterum]]'' <small>(S.F.Blake) Bierner</small>	- Durango
* ''[[Helenium argentinum]]'' <small>Ariza</small> - Argentina
* ''[[Helenium arizonicum]]'' <small>S.F.Blake</small>- Arizona
* ''[[Helenium aromaticum]]'' <small>(Hook.) L.H.Bailey</small> - Chile, Peru
* ''[[Helenium atacamense]]'' <small>Cabrera</small> - Chile, Peru
* ''[[Helenium autumnale]]'' <small>L.</small> - much of United States + Canada
* ''[[Helenium bigelovii]]'' <small>A.Gray</small> - California, Oregon, Arizona
* ''[[Helenium bolanderi]]'' <small>A.Gray</small> - California, Oregon
* ''[[Helenium brevifolium]]'' <small>(Nutt.) Alph.Wood</small> - southeastern United States
* ''[[Helenium campestre]]'' <small>Small</small> - Arkansas, Louisiana
* ''[[Helenium chihuahuense]]'' <small>Bierner</small> - Chihuahua, Durango
* ''[[Helenium donianum]]'' <small>(Hook. & Arn.) Seckt</small> - Argentina
* ''[[Helenium drummondii]]'' <small>H.Rock</small> - Texas, Louisiana
* ''[[Helenium elegans]]'' <small>DC.</small> - United States (southern Great Plains), northeastern Mexico
* ''[[Helenium fimbriatum]]'' <small>(Michx.) A.Gray</small> - southeastern United States
* ''[[Helenium flexuosum]]'' <small>Raf.</small> - eastern + central United States + Canada
* ''[[Helenium glaucum]]'' <small>(Cav.) Stuntz</small> - Chile
* ''[[Helenium hoopesii]]''
* ''[[Helenium insulare]]'' <small>(Phil.) Cabrera</small> - Chile
* ''[[Helenium integrifolium]]'' - Guatemala, Mexico
* ''[[Helenium laciniatum]]'' <small>A.Gray</small> - Sonora, Sinaloa
* ''[[Helenium linifolium]]'' <small>Rydb.</small> - southern Texas
* ''[[Helenium longiaristatum]]'' <small>Cuatrec.</small> - Argentina
* ''[[Helenium mexicanum]]'' <small>Kunth</small> - Mexico, Central America
* ''[[Helenium microcephalum]]'' <small>DC.</small> - southwestern United States, northeastern Mexico
* ''[[Helenium ovallense]]'' <small>Bierner</small> - Chile
* ''[[Helenium pinnatifidum]]'' <small>(Schwein. ex Nutt.) Rydb.</small> - southeastern United States
* ''[[Helenium polyphyllum]]'' <small>Small</small> - central Mississippi Valley
* ''[[Helenium puberulum]]'' <small>DC.</small> - Baja California, California, Oregon
* ''[[Helenium quadridentatum]]'' <small>Labill.</small> - southeastern United States, Mexico, Cuba, Belize
* ''[[Helenium radiatum]]'' <small>(Less.) Seckt</small> - Uruguay, Argentina
* ''[[Helenium scaposum]]'' <small>Britton</small> - Cuba
* ''[[Helenium scorzonerifolium]]'' <small>(DC.) A.Gray</small> - Mexico, Guatemala
* ''[[Helenium thurberi]]'' <small>A.Gray</small> - Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Chihuahua, Arizona
* ''[[Helenium tinctorium]]'' <small>(Molina) J.F.Macbr.</small> - Chile
* ''[[Helenium urmenetae]]'' <small>(Phil.) Cabrera</small> - Chile
* ''[[Helenium vallenariense]]'' <small>(Phil.) Bierner</small> - Chile
* ''[[Helenium vernale]]'' <small>Walter</small> - southeastern United States
* ''[[Helenium virginicum]]'' <small>S.F.Blake</small> - Virginia, Missouri
}}
<gallery mode=packed heights=180>
File:Helenium 'El Dorado'. Opengebarsten bloemknop. 18-07-2021. (d.j.b).jpg|helenium 'El dorado'.
File:Bloem van een Helenium. 03-07-2021 (actm.).jpg|'helenium 'Flamingo'.
File:Verregende bloem van een Helenium 'El Dorado'. 22-07-2023. (d.j.b).jpg|helenium 'El dorado'.
File:Bloemknop van een Helenium autumnale. 20-08-2023. (d.j.b).jpg|''Helenium autumnale''.
</gallery>

==Cultivation==
[[File:Helenium hybrid.jpg|thumb|''Helenium'' hybrid "Moerheim Beauty" [http://www.mobot.org/gardinghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=C940].]]
Numerous [[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 manner 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]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]]:-<ref>{{cite web  | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 43 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 3 March 2018}}</ref> 
{{div col|colwidth=15em}} 
* 'Baudirektor Linne'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Baudirektor Linne'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/98664/Helenium-Baudirektor-Linne/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Blütentisch'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Blütentisch'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/50142/Helenium-Blutentisch-Foerster/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Butterpat'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Butterpat'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/64441/Helenium-Butterpat/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Dunkle Pracht' <ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/300285/Helenium-Dunkle-Pracht/Details | title = ''Helenium'' 'Dunkle Pracht' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Feuersiegel'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Feuersiegel'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/54674/Helenium-Feuersiegel/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Gartensonne'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Gartensonne'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/99269/Helenium-Gartensonne/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Karneol'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Karneol'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/135961/Helenium-Karneol/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Moerheim Beauty'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Moerheim Beauty'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/89456/Helenium-Moerheim-Beauty/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Ring of Fire'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Ring of Fire'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/175728/Helenium-Ring-of-Fire/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Rubinzwerg'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Rubinzwerg'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/127493/Helenium-Rubinzwerg/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Sahin's Early Flowerer'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Sahin's Early Flowerer'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/126137/Helenium-Sahin-s-Early-Flowerer/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Waltraut'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Waltraut'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/218279/Helenium-Waltraut/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
* 'Wesergold'<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Helenium'' 'Wesergold'|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/152206/Helenium-Wesergold/Details | access-date = 30 July 2020}}</ref> 
{{div col end}} 

The UK [[National Plant Collection|National Collection]] of heleniums is located at Yew Tree House, Hall Lane, [[Hankelow]]. near Audlem in Cheshire.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://visitchester.newmindmedia.com/whats-on-widget-collection-2014/helenium-national-collection-weekend-p144491 |title=Welcome to Chester & Cheshire, Helenium National Collection Weekend |access-date=2014-08-29 |archive-date=2014-08-29 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140829210856/http://visitchester.newmindmedia.com/whats-on-widget-collection-2014/helenium-national-collection-weekend-p144491 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.specialperennials.com/ Special Perennials, National Collections of ''Helenium'' and ''Centaurea'', Hankelow, Cheshire, United Kingdom]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Everitt |first1=J.H. |last2=Lonard |first2=R.L. |last3=Little |first3=C.R. |title=Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico |publisher=Texas Tech University Press |location=Lubbock |year=2007}} {{ISBN|0-89672-614-2}}
* {{Cite journal|last1=Hughes-Jones|first1=Martin|year=2012|title=Soaking up the sun|journal=[[The Garden (journal)|The Garden]]|volume=137|issue=8|pages=36–40|location=[[Peterborough]]|publisher=[[Royal Horticultural Society]]}}
{{refend}}

*{{Commons-inline}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1632842}}

[[Category:Helenium| ]]
[[Category:Asteraceae genera]]
[[Category:Helen of Troy]]