Inula helenium, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1976, Flora Europaea. Volume 4. Plantaginaceae to Compositae (and Rubiaceae), Cambridge University Press : 134

1. I. helenium L. , Sp. Pl. 881 (1753).

Erect, robust, tomentose perennial 60-250 cm. Leaves grey-tomentose beneath, the lower 40-70 x 10-25 cm, ovate-elliptical, the upper cordate-amplexicaul. Capitula large; involucre 15-20 mm, hemispherical; bracts tomentose, the outer 10-13 x 4-5 mm, ovate, recurved, the inner 13-18 x 1 -5-2-5 mm, lanceolate. Ligules 30-40 mm, much exceeding the involucre. Achenes 3-5 mm, glabrous; pappus with c. 30 setae. 2« = 20. Probably native in S.E. Europe', formerly widely cultivated elsewhere as a medicinal plant and for ornament, and naturalized almost throughout Europe. *Bu *Gr It Ju Rm *Rs (W, K, E) Sa [Au Be Br Co Cz Da Fe Ga Ge Hb He Ho Hs Hu It No Po Rs (N, B, C) Su]. (W. & C. Asia.)