Key identifying traits
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Plants can grow 6-8’ tall
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Leaves are coarsely toothed and
have a hairy and downy gray underside
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The root is thick and almost
carrot-like
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Sunflower-like flowers are
yellow and 1 ½ -2” wide; ray petals are very thin
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The basal leaves will grow to
18” long & 8” wide
Biology and ecology
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A perennial plant spreading by
seeds
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It
is an escaped ornamental that prefers sun and moist, fertile
soil but it tolerates quite a bit of shade
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Inula is a native to Europe,
Asia and Africa but is now naturalized in the eastern U.S.
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It was cultivated for centuries
as a medicinal & edible plant (the root) and may still have some
value on the herbal market today
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At the old homestead site where
it is growing in Stevens County, Inula has formed a nearly solid
monoculture, spreading a bit every year
Control
Prevention –
Learn to identify plants; start monitoring early in the season
Biological –
No known biological control in our area
Cultural –
Plant competitive grass or other cover crop
Mechanical –
Does not tolerate tillage but does not hand pull very well due to
the large root
Chemical – The
PNW Weed Management handbook does not list any recommendations
for this plant
|
New growth & old flower stalks in May |
