Family:
Asteraceae
Toxic Parts:
all
Toxins:
terpenes, sesquiterpene lactones
Flower Color:
  • flower color
Found:
meadows, waterside, woodlands, haybales

Time of Greatest Risk

JFMAMJJASOND

Geographical Distribution

Sneezeweed distribution - United States

Related Species

Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

Yellowdicks, Yellow Sneezeweed, Spanish Daisy, Fiveleaf Sneezeweed, Bitterweed
4/ 10
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is a tall, coarse, early smooth perennial herb from the daisy (Asteraceae) family. It produces numerous yellow flower blossoms during the late summer months. It is native to the United States and Mexico and is found in subtropical to warm temperate climates. It is found throughout much of the United States, Texas north to Kansas and Missouri and eastward to the Atlantic coast. Sneezeweed is an opportunistic weed commonly found in horse pastures, open fields, roadsides and waste places. It tends to reproduce quickly and able to colonize areas where taller vegetation is scarce. In many cases, pastures can become overtaken by it, if the plant is not eliminated quickly.

Sneezeweed attributes:
  • Height: 3 to 6 feet tall
  • Stems: Stand erect and branch in their upper parts, which are angular and narrowly winged below the leaf bases.
  • Leaves: Alternately placed, lance-shaped, stalkless leaves; leaf blades are sharply and distinctly toothed along their margins. They are pointed at the tip ends and only usually have a few veins.
  • Flowers: Bright yellow flowers appear August to October, and stand on the ends of the main stem and the uppermost branches. They are composed of 10 to 18 drooping rays around the flower head, each ray 3-toothed at its outer end.
Toxic components
All parts of sneezeweed are poisonous to horses, however it is typically only eaten if no other food is available. Sneezeweed contains sesquiterpene lactones, which can cause digestive disturbances and neurological problems. The plant is toxic in fresh or dried form and can sometimes contaminate hay bales.