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Bigelow's Sneezeweed Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Bigelow's Sneezeweed

Helenium bigelovii

Mountain meadow spirit.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Helenium
Native to
Western United States
Bloom season
Summer
Type
herbaceous perennial
Height
2-3 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
Moist, fertile meadow soil
Water
high
Hardiness
5-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The name sneezeweed comes from the historical use of dried leaves as snuff to induce sneezing.
  • It was named for Jacob Bigelow, a Harvard professor who wrote one of America's first botanical textbooks.
  • The genus Helenium was named after Helen of Troy, as the plant was said to grow where her tears fell.
  • The prominent dome-shaped center of each flower serves as a landing platform for pollinating insects.
  • Sneezeweed is mildly toxic to livestock, which usually avoid it due to its bitter taste.

Color meanings

0

tears of joy

1

healing

Uses

  • wildflower meadows
  • wetland gardens
  • cut flowers