Helenium flexuosum (purple-headed sneezeweed)

Purple-headed sneezeweed is a perky, clump-forming perennial growing 1–3' tall that can be distinguished from other sneezeweeds by the round, purple central disk in its flowers. Give it full sun to part shade in moist to wet soils. Cutting back stems early in the Summer will encourage branching and more blooms. Deer resistant. Plant parts are toxic to mammals and should not be ingested. 

Purple-headed sneezeweed is widespread across much of eastern and central U.S. and Canada. It grows in fields, ditches, and streambanks. Host plant to butterfly and moth caterpillars. Pollen and nectar attract bees and other pollinators. Birds eat the seeds.

BONAP Native Range Map (bright green indicates county native, dark green indicates state native).

Photo by the Missouri Botanic Garden