Inula helenium L.
elecampane
Erect, rhizomatous, perennial, up to c. 2 m tall. Stems densely hairy, branched above to form infl. Lower cauline lvs sparsely to moderately hairy on upper surface, tomentose on lower, ovate-elliptic, petiolate and cuneate, acute, finely denticulate, up to c. 60 × 20 cm; upper lvs similar but smaller, apetiolate and usually amplexicaul. Capitula 6-9-(13) cm diam., few in corymbs. Outer involucral bracts tomentose, herbaceous, ovate, 10-15-(30) mm long; inner bracts glabrous or tomentose only on lamina, membranous, 15-25 mm long. Ray florets numerous; ligules yellow, c. 2-3-(5) cm long. Disc yellow. Achenes glabrous, 4-5-angled with faces finely ribbed, 3.5-5 mm long; pappus minutely barbellate, fused at base.
N.: collected once from Tinui (E. Wellington Province); S.: collected only twice - Christchurch, and Waitahuna (Otago); St.: Halfmoon Bay.
W. and C. Asia 1958
Waste places, pasture; mostly a persistent discard or relict of cultivation.
FL Nov-Jan.
