Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
A tall perennial (member of the Aster family) with many leaves and numerous yellow daisy-like flower heads that are sometimes tinged orange in the center. Attractive plant for the pollinator garden, as it is visited frequently by butterflies and bees. Seeds are prized by songbirds in the late summer and early fall. The name sneezeweed implies allergic reactions (similar to ragweed), but the plant pollen is not airborne. The name derives from the dried leaves and seedheads historically used as a form of snuff, sometimes intentionally used to trigger sneezing fits to loosen up head colds.
