Helianthus strumosus
Paleleaf Woodland Sunflower
a perennial member of the Helianthus genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Helianthus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 2 m
- Fertility
- Bees, Flies
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root[2]. No more details but it is probably used raw or cooked like the Jerusalem artichoke.
- Plant part
- Root
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A decoction of the roots has been used to get rid of worms in both adults and children[6]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of lung problems[6].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Pectoral
Environment
- Range
- N. America - Quebec to N. Dakota, south to Arkansas and Oklahoma.
- Habitat
- Dry woods and banks[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. 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. Division in spring or autumn. 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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position[1]. Requires a rich soil[1]. Dislikes shade[1]. Prefers a moist soil[3]. The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, plants can be totally destroyed by them[K]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[4]. Plants have a running root system and can be invasive[1].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9