Elecampane (Inula Helenium) (European) is a tall, 
stout, beautiful member of the composite family that’ 
comes to us from the old world. 
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 on 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 appearance. 
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, whitish veins 
show very prominently; the upper surface of the leaf 
is rough, yellowish-green, while the lower is lighter and 
woolly. 
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