Scientific Name
Helenium spp.
Common Name
Sneezeweed

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Asteraceae
Plant Description
Annual and perennial herbs; leaves alternate, simple, glandular-dotted; flowers yellow, in convex heads with ray flowers.
Origin
USA, NC.
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Forest or natural areas along stream banks and in wet areas; weedy in disturbed areas in old fields, pastures, roadsides; landscape in flower gardens as cultivated, ornamental herbaceous perennial.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Leaves, flowers, seeds.
Symptoms
Salivation, elevated temperature and pulse, difficulty of breathing, vomiting, and convulsions.
Toxic Principle
Sesquiterpene lactone.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

Previous Species, Home, Next Species