Inula helenium 'Elecampane'

Asteraceae: A large perennial to 2m. found in fields, waysides, waste places, and copses, often on moist soils in shade. The flowers are large yellow daises, blooming from July-August. The leaves are large and toothed. Native to South Eastern Europe, and naturalised in Britain. 

USES:

Leaves can be cooked, and have a rather bitter and aromatic taste, they were used as a potherb by the ancient Romans, but are rarely used at present, the root can be candied and eaten as a sweetmeat. 

Elecampane has a long history of use as a medicinal herb, a gently warming and tonic herb; it is especially effective in treating coughs, consumption, bronchitis and many other complaints of the chest as well as disorders of the digestive system.

GROWING INFORMATION:

An easily grown plant, it grows well in moist shady positions in ordinary garden soil, though it grows best in a good loamy soil, succeeds in an ordinary garden soil in a sunny position, plants are also tolerant of considerable neglect, sow seeds in spring or autumn in a cold frame, when they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, it could be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in situ in the spring.

HARVESTED: 2023*

 
APPROX. 100+ SEEDS

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