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Asteraceae
Orange Sneezeweed
Helenium hoopesii
Mountain brilliance and tears.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Genus
- Helenium
- Native to
- western United States, Mexico
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 2-3 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- moist, well-drained, mountain meadow soils
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 3-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The name 'sneezeweed' comes from the historical use of dried flower heads as snuff to induce sneezing, believed to expel evil spirits.
- Named for Helen of Troy — legend says the flowers sprang from the ground where her tears fell.
- It is toxic to livestock, particularly sheep, earning it the alternate name 'owlclaws' among ranchers.
- The drooping ray petals give the flower a windswept, whimsical appearance unlike typical daisies.
- It thrives at high elevations in Rocky Mountain meadows, often growing alongside columbines and lupines.
Color meanings
0
tears of joy
1
healing
2
mountain beauty