Helianthus strumosus
| Helianthus strumosus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Helianthus strumosus (common name: paleleaf woodland sunflower)
Propagation: 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: Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position[1]. Requires a rich soil[1]. Dislikes shade[1]. Prefers a moist soil[2].
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[3].
Plants have a running root system and can be invasive[1].
Range: N. America - Quebec to N. Dakota, south to Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Habitat: Dry woods and banks[4].
Edibility: Root[5]. No more details but it is probably used raw or cooked like the Jerusalem artichoke.
Medicinal: 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].
Pollinators: Bees, flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel and Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1970.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.