Identification
This native perennial grows up to 4 feet tall. The lance-shaped, toothed leaves form winged extensions where they join with the erect stems (D). The flowers are about 2 inches across and have 3-lobed, fan-shaped, yellow, petal-like ray florets and a round yellow disk (B,C).
Found along rivers and on moist, open areas, flowering from August through October. It is uncommon on the floodplain at both Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.
Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) also has winged stems, but its flowers look quite different.
Native Americans used the crushed, dried leaves to induce sneezing, which was considered a remedy for head colds; hence the common name.
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