Native Plant Alternatives to Inula helenium (Elecampane)

Inula helenium, commonly known as elecampane, can be somewhat aggressive under certain conditions and it has been reported as naturalized in several parts of the world outside its native range in Europe and Asia.

Elecampane is a tall perennial herb with large, coarse leaves and yellow, daisy-like flowers. It has a long history of use as a medicinal plant, with the roots traditionally used to treat respiratory conditions.

The plant prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. It can spread by seeds and also by rhizomes, potentially forming large clumps if conditions are favorable.

Elecampane is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.