Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 365 



ELECAMPANE (Inula Helenium) (EUROPEAN) 



is a tall, stout, beautiful member of the composite 

 family that comes to us from the old world. It has 

 become naturalized and is now common throughout 

 the eastern half of the United States. 



The stout, smooth, usually unbranched stalk grows 

 from 2 to 6 feet in height and is leafy throughout. At 

 the summit of the stem is a single, or sometimes two, 

 large flower set en a peduncle from the angle of the 

 upper leaf. A smaller, flat, bract-like leaf appear 

 just below the flower involucre. The head measures 

 two or three inches across and has a broad disc of 

 tubular, yellow florets, these turning tan color as they 

 age. The yellow rays are numerous, but very narrow, 

 usually set at different angles and with some vacant 

 places so that the flower has a rather disheveled ap- 

 pearance. 



The upper leaves usually clasp the plant stem, 

 while the lower ones are on petioles. They are broad, 

 thick-textured, toothed and pointed; the large, whit- 

 ish veins show very prominently; the upper surface 

 of the leaf is rough, yellowish-green, while the lower 

 is lighter and woolly. They alternate quite closely 

 alorrg the stem. 



The leaves were formerly used by industrious coun- 

 try housewives for the concoction of various home 

 remedies and doubtless proved effective. The roots 

 yield a mucilaginous juice that was supposed to have 

 healing and antiseptic properties. Bees, butterflies 

 and small moths are usually seen about the beautiful 

 flower heads, and are the chief agents for cross-ferti- 

 lization. 



