Elecampane - inula

Elecampane is another perennial that is also called yellow. This is one of the representatives of the Compositae family, sometimes it is also ranked among the Asters, which is also quite reliable information. In natural conditions, elecampane is most often found on the territory of the African continent, as well as in Europe or Asia, because in general it did not become too picky or whimsical to growing conditions, although there are still some points and subtleties in this matter. The plant loves to grow close to water bodies, as well as in meadows or ditches. The culture is sometimes referred to as wild sunflower, goldenrod, thistle, bear's ear and many other names - when you hear them, know that it's all about elecampane.

According to various information, elecampane is a special genus that combines from one hundred to two hundred different species. Even in ancient times, elecampane was incredibly popular in alternative medicine, and gradually the plant began to be domesticated, as it really gained considerable popularity. Today, among gardeners, only one species of the elecampane genus is in demand - this is elecampane tall, since this species is not only attractive enough in its flowering, but it also has incredible medicinal properties, which means that the plant can, in principle, be considered universal. In this article, we will talk in more detail about what features elecampane has, how to grow it, take care of it in a garden and a backyard. In addition, we will touch upon information about what species and varieties exist today in this huge family, and which of them are especially popular with gardeners and florists.

Elecampane, landing and leaving

elecampane photo

Elecampane is a perennial plant that is an attractive shrub, sometimes herbaceous forms are also found. But there can also be annual and biennial varieties in the genus, again, each of them should be carefully examined before planting. A sufficient number of thickened roots departs from the rhizome shortened in shape in different directions. Shoots are straight, they branch weakly, they can be absolutely smooth, or they can be slightly pubescent. The leaves are heart-shaped, while they can sometimes be slightly elongated, unevenly jagged or solid at the edges - it all depends on the varietal characteristics of the elecampane. Inflorescences are in the shape of a basket, they can sometimes be single, and can also be part of panicle or corymbose inflorescences - and so, and so they look very decorative, and therefore also attract the attention of flower growers.

The color is usually yellow, but depending on the variety, these can be very different shades of yellow. So, on this basis, plants can be easily distinguished from each other. The leaves have the usual green color, but in combination with yellow inflorescences, it all looks very joyful and incredibly attractive. The fruit that forms in the place of inflorescences is a ribbed achene in the shape of a cylinder, which can be either entirely smooth or slightly pubescent.

Before a florist decides to plant an elecampane, it is best for him to take care of choosing the most suitable site. It should be borne in mind that this plant responds incredibly positively to heat, so the place must be very sunny. The soil should be moistened, but at the same time moisture should not stagnate in it, nutrients and microelements should be in sufficient quantities for the plant to feel as comfortable as possible.In addition, the soil must be loose so that oxygen can pass through it well, since this condition is one of the most significant. In order to plant elecampane, sandy loam soil or loam is perfect, it is best to sow the plant after clean steam, because in this case the harvest will be much better, and the flowering will be more abundant, which, of course, plays an important role if we are talking about elecampane as a decorative fit.

It is best to start preparing the site for planting in advance. It is necessary to dig it up, the depth should be about one bayonet of a shovel, after digging a sufficient amount of compost is introduced into the soil, but humus is also suitable. It will also be great to add a phosphorus-potassium mixture, since it not only saturates the soil, but also helps in the future the plantings themselves to be more developed and abundant. After this is done, the site should be very carefully fenced. Before planting the elecampane, it is recommended to scatter a little fertilizer over the surface of the prepared area, the main components of which are nitrogen. After that, the fertilizer is embedded to a depth of no more than fifteen centimeters. Further, the surface of the site should be compacted, but not too much, since the soil must still be ventilated, a sufficient amount of oxygen must pass through it.

Planting seeds is scheduled for either winter or spring. The seeds may not even be stratified, but in order for sowing to be even less of a hassle, it is necessary to mix the seed with sand. If the plants are planted in one row, the length of which is about one meter, then about two hundred seeds will be required. If the soil is very heavy, then the seeds can be deepened by one or two centimeters, and if the soil is light, then the seeds can be deepened by no more than three centimeters. There should be a distance of 60 to 70 centimeters between the rows. Seedlings appear just after the soil warms up to at least eight degrees. In order for elecampane to demonstrate stable growth, it is necessary that the air temperature be in the region of 20-25 degrees. If the weather conditions are favorable enough, the seedlings will appear already in about half a month after they have been sown in the open ground. About a few days before the seedlings appear on the surface, the site should be slightly buried. At the same time, all excess lumps of earth should be removed, and weeds are also removed from the site so that nothing interferes with seeing the first shoots. From an aesthetic point of view, the site will look more well-groomed and more pleasant, which is also a huge plus.

There is another way to reproduce elecampane - division of the rhizome. In the south, elecampane is preferred to propagate in this way in the spring, and sometimes reproduction is postponed to August. Moreover, if elecampane grows in colder areas and regions, then the division of the rhizome is carried out perhaps only in the spring, when the leaf plates begin to gradually open. The rhizomes should be very carefully removed from the soil, and then it is divided into several equal parts. Moreover, each division should have from one to two buds, which will give growth to new parts and shoots. When planting divisions in the ground, it is also worth observing a distance between them, which ranges from thirty to sixty centimeters - everything will depend solely on the varietal affiliation of the plant. Delenki are deepened into the soil by about six centimeters, and the kidneys must be directed upwards. By the way, before planting, each hole should be watered with warm water, then a small amount of top dressing is introduced into the holes, which must be evenly mixed with the soil. After the delenki have been placed in the ground, the site is slightly tamped, well moistened, and the surface is mulched.In delots that have already managed to take root and adapt to new conditions, several young shoots will appear in the first year, while their height will be from twenty to forty centimeters. In general, if you follow all the rules, then any method of reproduction will give its positive results, the main thing is just to keep this in mind and be sure to closely monitor the plants, their general condition and development.

After the seedlings appear on the site, it is necessary to thin them out a little, since this procedure is considered one of the most basic in modern floriculture and horticulture. Plants need timely watering, weeding, and the soil surface should be constantly loosened, because it must also be saturated with oxygen, and from this the best development will be with the root system. In the very first planting season of elecampane, it will grow very slowly, but at the end of the summer period, the height of the bush will already be about forty centimeters. In general, excellent leaf blades will also be formed, and the root system will be strong enough. The very first flowering can be observed only in the next season, not earlier than mid-summer. The flowering period will be approximately four weeks and may be of medium abundance.

The culture is great for water and moisture, in particular it needs watering when the buds begin to set, as well as during flowering. The bush is distinguished by the fact that they have a penetrating root system that can extract moisture even from very low soil layers, and this is probably one of its features and advantages. In this regard, it is necessary to water elecampane only during those periods when a prolonged drought is formed, and for a long time there is absolutely no rainfall. It is worth weeding the bush systematically, especially in the very first year of its growth and development. In the next season, the bush will become stronger, and therefore they will not be afraid of any weed. But at the initial stages of growth and development, it is still worth taking care that the near-trunk circle is completely cleared of weeds and other foreign grasses and objects.

When the very first leaves begin to form at the bush, as well as root rosettes, then it will need to be fed with the help of Nitrofoska. The second time, feeding is carried out either after three weeks, or after a month, everything will depend solely on the condition of the plant. In addition, it is worth watching how abundantly the ground shoots will grow. In the fall, just before the shrub is dormant, it is best to give it a little potash and phosphate fertilizer, and it is applied through the soil. In general, if you follow all the specified plant care measures, the result can amaze any gardener. The most important thing is to feed and water the bushes on time, then enough useful and medicinal components will accumulate in them, for which elecampane is famous. In the next part of the article, we will dwell in more detail on what species and varieties exist in floriculture today, and what features and characteristics they have.

Types and varieties of elecampane

Elecampane Royle - The height of this perennial is approximately 60 centimeters. The leaf blades are oblong, reaching about 25 centimeters in length. In diameter, inflorescences can also reach from four to five centimeters, they include both reed and tubular flowers, painted in a bright, very rich yellow hue. Flowering can usually be seen from July to August and is very attractive and abundant. This type of elecampane has been cultivated since 1897, and since then it is considered, perhaps, the most demanded and popular among all other species.

Elecampane Roothead - This type of elecampane is decorative, and is considered one of the most popular in horticultural culture.The leaf plates are also elongated and have an attractive lanceolate shape. They are part of a basal powerful rosette, in the center of it there is a dense, but at the same time compact inflorescence, which is colored yellow. The root system of the plant is superficial, while it branches quite strongly, so you should be very careful when processing the topsoil, since the roots can be very easily damaged, and then there is a high risk that the plant simply will not survive in such conditions.

Eastern elecampane - the homeland of this species is Asia Minor and the Caucasus, hence the characteristic name of this species. The plant belongs to the category of perennials, the stems are straight, the height of the plant itself as a whole is about 70 centimeters. The plates are oblong, spatulate. The inflorescences can range from nine to ten centimeters across. The inflorescences contain very long, and at the same time rather thin, dark yellow ligulate flowers, as well as tubular flowers, which have an ordinary yellow color. The cultivation of this species has been carried out since 1804, and in fact this species is considered one of the oldest among all those that we will consider today in this article.

Elecampane swordsman - if we look for this species in natural conditions, then most often it is found either in Europe, or already in the Caucasus. At the same time, the species of this elecampane loves to grow on mountain chalk and calcareous slopes, as well as in steppes and forests, where it feels incredibly comfortable. The height of the bush varies from 15 to 30 centimeters, it all depends on which variety this or that elecampane will belong to. The shoots are thin, but at the same time they are very strong, in the upper part they can branch abundantly, which creates a dense, almost impenetrable and very thickened crown for the plant. The leaf plates are narrow, slightly elongated, and can be about six centimeters long. Baskets of a pleasant yellow shade, single, their diameter is from two to four centimeters. The cultivation of the species dates back to 1793. There is also a low-growing variety of this type of elecampane, the height of the bush is about twenty centimeters. The flowering is very lush and quite long, so it can be enjoyed for a very long time.

Magnificent elecampane - this species has received such a loud name for a reason. This is a perennial plant that grows into a very extensive and fairly spreading bush, its height can sometimes reach two meters, but there are witnesses among experienced gardeners who say that this figure is far from the limit. The stem of the plant is furrowed, very strong and thick. The leaf plates, which are located in the root zone, can reach a very large size, while their length is about 50 centimeters, and their width is 25 centimeters. The upper leaf plates are sessile, while the lower ones, of course, exceed them in size, so the plant looks very attractive and organic. The inflorescences are painted in a bright yellow color, in diameter they can reach fifteen centimeters. Flowering usually occurs from July to August, when the bush stops blooming, then it gradually loses its decorative features and characteristics. At the same time, it can be cut off, but already next season a completely new, fresher bush will grow from it.

Elecampane British - most often in its natural habitat, this plant can be found either in Europe or in Asia. At the same time, it grows abundantly near ravines, near sedge bogs, also in birch forests and in the steppes. The perennial is not very tall, while its surface is covered with gray tomentose pubescence, which looks rather unusual.The stem is ribbed and erect, at the very bottom, at the base it can be painted in a red tint, but in the upper part it is simple, branched. The leaf plates are lanceolate, elliptical, sometimes they can be ovoid, but this shape is still not so common, unlike all the others. Also, the leaves can be slightly toothed, along the edge there may be a number of small spines. The front surface of the sheet plate can be either smooth or covered with a light fluff. The inflorescences are yellow in color, are about five centimeters across, but they can either be single, or they can be combined into small inflorescences, where the flowers are loosely adjacent to each other. The plant is relatively unpretentious, at the same time it looks quite attractive, therefore it is especially popular in the design of plots, rockeries, flower beds or landscapes.

Elecampane tall - it can be found in its natural habitat in Europe or the Caucasus, as well as in Siberia. Usually elecampane tall grows in meadows or in light deciduous and pine forests. You can also occasionally see it on river coasts, as this plant is quite good at wet areas, and it requires sufficient watering and water for abundant flowering. The perennial looks like a bush of the correct cylindrical shape, while its height can reach 2.5 meters, and this really justifies the name of this planting. The rhizome is powerful, it can emanate a sharp and fairly typical aroma, which also distinguishes this type of elecampane from all other species that we have already considered or will consider. Basal plates are large, have the shape of an ellipse, reach a length of almost half a meter, but their width is from 15 to 20 centimeters. From about the middle of the shoot, the leaves are sessile, have a fairly powerful base. In diameter, the baskets of yellow-golden color reach eight centimeters. They began to cultivate this species a long time ago, but even since then it has not completely lost its popularity and relevance, and this, of course, gives it an advantage over many other plants and cultures from the same family.

Application of elecampane

Of course, one cannot fail to mention that elecampane has a sufficient number of useful properties, since this plant is primarily medicinal. Basically, of all parts of the plant, it is the root that is used. It contains a huge amount of nutrients, trace elements and vitamins. These are wax and vitamin E, essential oils and resin, mucus and saponins, as well as polysaccharides, inulin. A decoction from the rhizome or roots of the plant is used to treat diseases of the stomach and intestines, for diseases of the liver and kidneys, urinary tract, as well as for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, decoctions are also very effective. It is also an excellent antiseptic, anthelmintic, diuretic. The broth can be used to treat skin diseases, and if you combine it with lard, you get an excellent and very effective remedy for combating scabies. Fresh elecampane leaves can be applied to tumors or sores, erysipelas, to reduce discomfort and inflammation.

Of course, any means that are prepared on the basis of elecampane are very useful, and, at the same time, they have their own contraindications. For example, in no case should you use tinctures based on elecampane for serious cardiovascular pathologies, during pregnancy, gastritis and hypotension. During critical days, it is best for women not to use this infusion, as it can increase pain, which is already too severe during this period.Also elecampane must be used very carefully if you decide to treat a small child with it, since his body has not yet matured and may be susceptible to some components of the broth. In general, elecampane is a wonderful versatile plant that has not yet lost its popularity. Unpretentiousness and lack of picky to general conditions are combined with excellent decorative qualities and medicinal properties, for which flower growers love elecampane so much in different parts of our country.