| Inula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Inula helenium[1] | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Subfamily: | Asteroideae |
| Tribe: | Inuleae |
| Genus: | Inula L. |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Inula is agenus of about 80species offlowering plants in thefamilyAsteraceae,native to Europe, Asia and Africa.
They may beannuals,herbaceousperennials orsubshrubs that vary greatly in size, from small species a few centimeters tall to enormous perennials over 3 m (10 ft) tall. They carry yellow daisy-likecomposite flowerheads often with narrow ray-florets.
Some common characteristics includepappus with bristles, flatcapitulum, and lack ofchaff.
Several species are popular flowers for the garden, with cultivation going back to antiquity. The smaller species are used in rock gardens and the more common larger ones, which tend to have very coarse foliage, in borders.
The genus nameInula is of uncertain origin, and was already in use by the Romans. The Latin phraseinula campana (field inula) gave rise to the Englishelecampane whose scientific name isInula helenium. The plant's specific name,helenium, derives fromHelen of Troy; elecampane is said to have sprung up from where her tears fell.[3]
The following species are recognised in the genusInula:[4]
Inula species are used as food plants by thelarvae of someLepidoptera species including case-bearers of the genusColeophora, such asC. conyzae (recorded onI. conyzae),C. follicularis,C. inulae, andC. troglodytella.
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