Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Common Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
[C-value
5]
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms August -
September
The native Common Sneezeweed is common in our area. Despite its name, it does not cause sneezing. It prefers full to partial sun, wet to moist conditions and soil containing loam or silt high in organic material. Habitats include moist meadows in wooded areas, moist open woodlands, fens, marshes and low areas along streams and ponds. This perennial is 3-5' tall, branching sparingly with angular, winged stems and alternate lance-shaped leaves up to 5" long and 1½" across. Upper stems terminate in flowers spanning about 1½-2" across with bright yellow ray florets (slightly triangular with doubly notched tips) surrounding numerous yellow disk florets.
Common Sneezeweed at Lyon Forest Preserve fen September 4, 2013
Common Sneezeweed at Yorkville Riverview Park September 6, 2012
Common Sneezeweed foliage at Lyon Forest Preserve fen September 4, 2013
Common Sneezeweed at Subat Forest Preserve wetland September 2, 2013
Common Sneezeweed (with bird's nest) at Subat Forest Preserve wetland August 26, 2015
Nest of Common Yellowthroats in middle of Common Sneezeweed at Subat Forest Preserve wetland August 26, 2015
Common Sneezeweed fall foliage and seed heads at Lyon Forest Preserve fen October 31, 2014
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