Pollinator plant

Elecampane

Inula helenium

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Common names

39 names · 28 languages
EnglishYour language
Other languages (27)
Dutch
French
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Arabic
  • طيون يوناني[3]
Armenian
  • Կղմուխ Հեղինեի[3]
Bulgarian
  • Бял оман[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
Czech
  • oman pravý[3]
Danish
  • Læge-alant[3]
Estonian
Finnish
  • isohirvenjuuri[3]
German
Hungarian
  • Örménygyökér[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • オオグルマ[3]
Lithuanian
  • Didysis debesylas[3]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Oman wielki[3]
Portuguese
Romanian
  • Iarbă mare[3]
Russian
  • Девясил высокий[3]
Slovak
  • oman pravý[3]
Slovenian
  • veliki oman[3]
Spanish
Swedish
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • ålandsrot[3]
Ukrainian
  • Оман високий[3]
Sources & name notes (3)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Inula helenium — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Elecampane — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Inula helenium.
[2] Inula helenium — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Elecampane — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Griekse alant — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Echter Alant — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • elfdock — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • horse-heal — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • énula — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Grande aunée — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Inule aunée — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Panacée de Chiron — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Œil-de-cheval — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Enula campana — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Énula-campana — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
[3] Inula helenium — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Elecampane — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Griekse alant — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Echter Alant — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • elfdock — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • horse-heal — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • énula — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Grande aunée — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Inule aunée — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Panacée de Chiron — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Œil-de-cheval — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Enula campana — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Énula-campana — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • oman pravý — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Læge-alant — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Девясил высокий — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • alantrot — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • isohirvenjuuri — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Oman wielki — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Didysis debesylas — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • オオグルマ — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • aedvaak — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Կղմուխ Հեղինեի — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • 土木香 — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Бял оман — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Oman — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • 土木香 — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • 祁木香 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • 祁木香 — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • ålandsrot — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • alant — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • elunört — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Elins rot — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Оман високий — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • veliki oman — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • طيون يوناني — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Iarbă mare — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • Örménygyökér — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
  • oman pravý — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 133951; Inula helenium.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Botanical family
Asteraceae

Genus-level classification for Inula; this does not confirm the complete catalogue name.

Sources [1]
Taxonomy
NC State Extension publishes a profile under Inula helenium.

Profile-name match; no accepted-name status is asserted.

Sources [2]
Mature height
0.61–1.83 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.61–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
SE. Europe to W. Siberia and Iran.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Low
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.50 m high × 1.00 m wide
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Root
Functions
Dye, Essential oil, Fragrant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

Leaves - cooked. Originally bitter and aromatic, they were used as a vegetable by the ancient Romans but are now rarely eaten. Root - candied and eaten as a sweet. It contains up to 44% inulin, a starch that cannot be digested by humans. Inulin usually passes through the digestive system without being broken down. However, it can ferment and cause gas in some people. Inulin can be converted into a sugar that is suitable for diabetics. The Council of Europe classifies Inula helenium as a natural food flavoring.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Inula — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1336941; ID 54NG; rank genus; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Inula helenium — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: TaxonomyMature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Main botanical heading (h1)
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Inula helenium — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 833490; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1475180, 1475181, 1475182, 1475183, 1475185, 1475188, 1475192, 1475194, 1475195, 1475196, 1475198, 1475199, 1475200, 1475201, 1475202, 1475203, 1475204, 1475205, 1475206, 1475207

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.