Freshwater Wetlands/ Sneezewood

COMMON NAME: Sneezeweed

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  Autumn Sneezeweed, False sunflower, Ox-Eye, Staggerwort, Swamp-Sunflower, Yellow-Star

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Helenium autumnale

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetland

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 1 to 5 feet

FLOWERING TIME: August to October

FRUITING TIME: September to late October

DISTRIBUTION: Connecticut to Florida ~ Statewide in NJ outside central Pine Barrens

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Heads, many-flowered, radiate, disk yellow, rays yellow ~ Leaves mostly toothed, lanceolate to ovate-oblong narrowed to a sessile

GENERAL INFORMATION: This large family (Asteraceae) of 1,314 genera and 21,000 species of herbs, shrubs, climbers and a few trees is found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions.  This family is commonly called the Aster family.  The plants are of value to man as ornamentals; a few are insecticides and fish poisons. Sneezeweed is in the genus Helenium dedicated to Helen of Troy .  The scientific name means: “of Helen and of autumn”. The American Indians used the dry, nearly mature flower heads in powdered form to sniff to treat colds and an infusion (medicine prepared by steeping flowers or leaves in a liquid without boiling) of the leaves was used as a laxative.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.