Elecampane - Inula helenium

A rather robust, conspicuous and persistent plant. It grows to 2 metres tall, with toothed, narrowly elliptic leaves up to 60cm long, white-hairy beneath, and yellow daisy-like flower heads to 9cm wide, with narrow rays and a darker centre.

If possible, please provide photographs of flowers and leaves (including underside of leaves).

Usually establishes from garden outcasts on road and lane-sides and by woodland margins, but seldom far from habitation.

Flowering period: June to August.

A persistent perennial herb.

Widely if sparsely established in Britain.

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.