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Inula helenium
  • Elecampane

a perennial member of the Inula genus in the family Compositae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Inula helenium has 0 edible uses listed
Inula helenium has 0 material uses listed
Inula helenium has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - cooked. Rather bitter and aromatic[1], they were used as a potherb by the ancient Romans[2] but are rarely used at present. Root - candied and eaten as a sweetmeat[3][4][5][6][2]. It contains up to 44% inulin[7][8]. Inulin is a starch that cannot be digested by humans. It usually passes straight through the digestive system, though it can ferment and cause wind problems for some people[K]. Inulin can be converted into a sugar that is suitable for diabetics to eat[9].

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

A blue dye is obtained from the bruised and macerated root mixed with ashes and whortleberries (Vaccinium myrtillus)[3][7][10]. The root yields up to 2% of a camphor-scented essential oil, this is used as a flavouring and medicinally[7][10][9].

Unknown part

Dye
Essential

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Elecampane has a long history of use as a medicinal herb. A gently warming and tonic herb, it is especially effective in treating coughs, consumption, bronchitis and many other complaints of the chest as well as disorders of the digestive system[3][11][12]. A very safe herb to use, it is suitable for the old and the young and especially useful when the patient is debilitated[12]. It cleanses toxins from the body, stimulating the immune and digestive systems and treating bacterial and fungal infections[9].

The root is alterative, anthelmintic, antiseptic, astringent, bitter, cholagogue, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, mildly expectorant, gently stimulant, stomachic, tonic[4, 7, 9, 21, 46. 165, 200, 218, 222]. It is best harvested in the autumn from plants that are two years old, and it can be dried for later use[3]. The roots should be at least 3 years old according to another report[4]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women[9]. An extract of the plant is a powerful antiseptic and bactericide, particularly effective against the organism that causes TB[13][9]. The root contains alantolactone, which is strongly anthelmintic. In a 1:1000 dilution it kills the parasitic worm Ascaris in 16 hours[14]. Alantolactone has an anti-inflammatory action, it also reduces mucous secretions and stimulates the immune system[12].

The plant is sometimes recommended as an external wash for skin inflammations and varicose ulcers, but has been known to cause allergic reactions[9].

Unknown part

Alterative
Anthelmintic
Antiseptic
Antitussive
Astringent
Bitter
Cholagogue
Demulcent
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Expectorant
Stimulant
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow in spring or autumn in a cold frame[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

If you have sufficient seed, it could be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in situ in the spring. Division in spring or autumn[15]. Fairly small pieces of root can be used, so long as each piece has a growth bud on it[3]. 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.

Root cuttings in winter. Cut sections of root about 5cm long, place them in a warm greenhouse over the winter and they should grow away vigorously[3].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Inula helenium. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it grows well in moist shady positions in ordinary garden soil, though it grows best in a good loamy soil[3]. Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[16]. Plants are also tolerant of considerable neglect, succeeding on our Cornwall trial ground even when left unweeded for four years[K].

Elecampane has a long history of cultivation as a medicinal herb, though it is not commonly grown nowadays[3].

When first dug up, the roots smell like ripe bananas, but as they dry they take on the scent of violets[17].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Inula helenium. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Inula helenium.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Inula helenium
Genus
Inula
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[3][11][12][9][4][13][14]
Material uses & Functions
[3][7][10][9]
Botanic
[18][19]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
1.5 x 1 meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

"image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  3. ? 3.003.013.023.033.043.053.063.073.083.093.103.11 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
  6. ? 6.06.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.69.79.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
  15. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
  16. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  17. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  18. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
  19. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

"image:Illustration Inula helenium0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Inula_helenium&oldid=77916"
Facts about "Inula helenium"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyCompositae +
Belongs to genusInula +
Has binomial nameInula helenium +
Has common nameElecampane +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partLeaves + and Root +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bees +, Lepidoptera + and Self +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone5 +
Has imageIllustration Inula helenium0.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye + and Essential +
Has mature height1.5 +
Has mature width1 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAlterative +, Anthelmintic +, Antiseptic +, Antitussive +, Astringent +, Bitter +, Cholagogue +, Demulcent +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Stimulant +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
Has primary imageIllustration Inula helenium0.jpg +
Has search nameinula helenium + and elecampane +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameInula helenium +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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