Elecampane

Elecampane - Inula helenium

Description

A rather robust, conspicuous and persistent plant. It grows to 2 metres tall, with toothed, narrowly elliptic leaves up to 60cm long, white-hairy beneath, and yellow daisy-like flower heads to 9cm wide, with narrow rays and a darker centre.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

If possible, please provide photographs of flowers and leaves (including underside of leaves).

Habitat

Usually establishes from garden outcasts on road and lane-sides and by woodland margins, but seldom far from habitation.

When to see it

Flowering period: June to August.

Life History

A persistent perennial herb.

UK Status

Widely if sparsely established in Britain.

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records