Inula helenium
Elecampane
Gloria Newlan
Watercolour
Artwork size in cm, 46 x 36
£550.00
Elecampane is a Heritage plant used for medicine, native to Europe and Asia
My first introduction to this majestic, joyful plant was at Threave Garden in Dumfriesshire, School of Heritage Gardening. I brought one home with me and planted it in my back yard. Over time, the Inula plant spread and developed into a large collection, creating a magical atmosphere, growing up to 9 ft tall, producing large leaves, strong, hairy stalks and in late summer amazing, yellow raggedy flowers appear, drawing in bees and butterflies in abundance.
Large roots grow, pushing downward to secure the plants and horizontally as rhizomes that give off a camphorous aromatic scent. During autumn, after the leaves die down, these potent roots have been dug up and used for herbal remedies since ancient times. The root is pungent, bitter, warming and tastes sweet, stimulating movement of stagnant dampness out of the body. This medicine is used for wet, cold and congestion coughs and is antibacterial, antifungal, sometimes candied as confectionary.
Legends tell us that Inula Helenium was a tribute to Helen of Troy, growing where her tears fell. Before Latin was used it was known as Emilia Campana, Helen of the plants. It has symbolic associations with restoring lightness of being.
If you would like to purchase a painting, please get in touch with info@botanicascotia.uk
Please note: Paintings will be on display at the V&A Dundee until the end of July, so a pickup after that date can be arranged.
