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Helenium hoopesii - A.Gray.

Common Name Owls Claws, Orange Sneezeweed
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards This species is said to be poisonous to sheep. Although no mention of any toxicity to people has been seen it is wise to assume that it is toxic[187].
Habitats Rich soils in coniferous forests, in meadows along stream sides and on wet slopes, 2250 - 3300 metres in the Southern Rockies[71, 155].
Range South-western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Helenium hoopesii Owls Claws, Orange Sneezeweed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JerryFriedman
Helenium hoopesii Owls Claws, Orange Sneezeweed
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JerryFriedman

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Orange, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Helenium hoopesii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Dugaldia hoopesii. (Gray.)Rydb.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Gum

A chewing gum is obtained from the roots[155, 257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Miscellany  Stomachic

The plant is used as a remedy for vomiting[155, 257]. A snuff made from the crushed blossoms and the leaves of Psoralidium lanceolatum has been inhaled in the treatment of headaches and hay fever[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Gum  Miscellany

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[155]. They are usually boiled up with juniper ash to obtain the dye[244].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container. Grows well in ordinary garden soil[1, 111], succeeding in most conditions other than boggy soils[233]. It prefers a fertile moisture retentive soil[200] in a sunny position[108, 111]. Dislikes dry soil[200]. This species is hardy to about -25°c[187]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A good bee and butterfly plant. Special Features:North American native, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Suitable for cut flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed it might be worthwhile trying a sowing in mid to late spring in situ outdoors[111]. Cuttings of soft wood from the base of the plant, June/July in a frame. Basal cuttings in spring[200]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[111]. This needs to be done fairly regularly because the clumps soon become congested[233]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Helenium amarumBitter Sneezeweed, SneezeweedAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNM010
Helenium autumnaleSneezeweed, Common sneezeweed, Fall sneezeweed, Mountain sneezeweed, False SunflowerPerennial1.8 3-8 FLMHNM021
Helenium puberulumRosillaAnnual/Perennial1.5 7-10  LMHNM11 
Inula heleniumElecampane, Elecampane inulaPerennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNM332

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

A.Gray.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

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