Ontario Wildflowers website

Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) Other common names: Common Sneezeweed, Swamp Sunflower

Other scientific names: Helenium grandiflorum, Helenium pubescens

French names: Hélénie automnale

Family: Composite Family (Asteraceae)

Similar species:
  •   Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia)


Flowers: Summer;  Yellow;  7 or more parts (petals)

Leaves: Alternate, Simple

Height: 60-150 cm (23-59 in)

Habitat: Forests, Fields and Open Areas

Grows in Sun/Shade: Sun

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 376   

Native/Non-native: Native

Notes: The common name is based on the former use of its dried leaves in making snuff, inhaled to cause sneezing that would supposedly rid the body of evil spirits. It naturally occurs along rivers, so it does well on wet ground. It is also at home in drier loamy soils too. It is a good plant for feeding butterflies.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: autumnale: of autumn


Photographs: 83 photographs available, of which 8 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) flower

Sneezeweed's yellow flower.

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) flowers

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) flowers

A nice bunch.

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) flowers

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) flower

The ray flowers (what non-botanists might call the "petals") just starting to poke out.

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) flower bud

Flower bud.

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) plant

An entire Sneezeweed plant.

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) winged stem

Sneezeweed has a winged stem, much like Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia).


Range map for Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)