Inula helenium seeds grow into elecampane or horse heal — a large, imposing perennial herb native to the temperate biome from Central Asia west through Russia and Europe, now widely naturalised across Europe, North America and other temperate regions. Described by Linnaeus (1753). The genus name derives from Helen of Troy — legend holds that elecampane sprang from the tears of Helen as she was carried off to Troy. The root has been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years — for respiratory conditions (cough, asthma, bronchitis), digestive complaints and as a tonic. Contains inulin (named after Inula) — a prebiotic dietary fibre. Produces tall stems to 1.5–2 m with large, velvety leaves and brilliant golden-yellow daisy flowers to 7 cm across. Family Asteraceae.Full sun to partial shade; moist, deep, fertile soils; cool to warm temperate conditions; cold-hardy. A large, bold architectural perennial. Named from Helen of Troy legend; Linnaeus (1753); inulin prebiotic named after this genus Respiratory medicine (cough, asthma); thousands of years of medicinal use; tall to 2 m; golden daisies Central Asia to Europe — temperate biome; widely naturalised; naturalised in N. America Genus Inula ~90 species; Family Asteraceae Full sun to partial shade; moist deep soils; cold-hardy; bold architectural; Family Asteraceae Inula helenium is elecampane — named from the tears of Helen of Troy and used as a respiratory medicine for thousands of years across Asia and Europe, the plant that gave its name to inulin (the prebiotic fibre) and whose towering stems and golden daisy flowers make it one of the most architecturally impressive of the large-flowered medicinal perennials. IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.
