[Greek inaein, to clean, alluding to medicinal effects; or Latin inula, an ancient name for elecampane]

Neil A. Harriman

Perennials [annuals], 20–200 cm. Leaves basal (usually withering before flowering) and cauline; petiolate (proximal) or sessile (distal); blade margins usually serrate to dentate, sometimes entire. Heads radiate [disciform, discoid], borne singly or in open, corymbiform arrays. Involucres hemispheric or campanulate, [5–]10–40 mm diam. Phyllaries persistent, in 4–7+ series. Receptacles flat or convex, smooth or alveolate, epaleate. Ray florets (15–)50–150+, pistillate, fertile; corollas yellow [orange], laminae 10–30+ mm. Disc florets mostly (50–)100–250+; corollas yellow, lobes 5. Cypselae ± columnar (subterete) or prismatic (± 4–5-ribbed or -angled); pappi persistent, of basally connate, barbellate bristles or setiform scales in 1 series. x = 8, 9, 10.

Species ca. 100 (3 in the flora): introduced; Old World.

The three species in the flora are probably escapes from cultivation. Formerly, Inula was circumscribed more broadly.

Lower Taxa

• Inula brittanica Linnaeus
• Inula helenium Linnaeus
• Inula salicina Linnaeus