Bitter sneezeweed is an erect, upper-branching yellow daisy-like annual, 10 to 20 inches tall with narrow leaves, alternating on the stem. Blooms in summer thru fall; very drought tolerant, likes full sun. The entire plant is said to have a strong odor, although I have never noticed this- It gets its name from its bitter taste, and is known to be responsible for bitter, undrinkable cows milk and is suspected to be the cause of unpalatable meat from cattle. The toxin is stable in plants contaminating hay.

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Obtained the seed in the 2022 DnD seed swap. It's hard to find Helenium varieties to grow. A Helenium breeder was featured in the 2022 Gardener's World and maintains the national collection of Helenium in the UK. Will check to see if he sells seed.

From the Missouri Botanical Gardens: Uses in borders. Also effective in prairies, meadows, cottage gardens, rock gardens, wild gardens or disturbed areas. Impressive when massed. Common name of bitterweed is in reference to this plant containing a toxic substance which causes milk to taste bitter when cows graze on the foliage.

Common name of sneezeweed is reportedly in reference to a former snuff-like use of the dried and powdered flowers of this plant by members of some native American Indian tribes for treatment of blocked sinuses.

NOTE that the plant is poisonous to most mammals, and if eaten by cows will cause their milk to become bitter and unusable. Helenium amarum is classed as an invasive weed in the USA, where it has spread widely in its native range and now covers a substantial portion of the grazing land in Texas.

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