Description
Inula helenium is an aster family member known as elecampane, horse-heal, or elfdock. It has a long history of use as an herbal remedy, food, and flavouring since Ancient Greek times. In folklore it was said to have sprung up from the tears of Helen of Troy, hence the specific epithet, and was sacred to the Celts who associated it with elves and fairy folk. It grows as a strong, upright perennial 3-6 feet high, with large, coarse, mid green leaves topped in summer by open sprays of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers 2-3 inches wide with dark orange-yellow centres and thin ray petals. Popular with bees and butterflies. Tolerant of part shade and many different soil types.
