Elecampane

Elecampane (Inula helenium), also called horse-heal or marchalan (in Welsh), is a perennial composite plant common in many parts of Great Britain, and ranges throughout central and Southern Europe, and in Asia as far eastwards as the Himalayas. It is naturalized in North America.

Synonyms: elfdock; aunee (French); enula campana (Spanish); Echter Alant (German); enula campana (Italian).

Botanical Description It is a rather rigid herb, the stem of which attains a height of from 90 cm to 150 cm (3 to 5 feet); the leaves are large and toothed, the lower ones stalked, the rest embracing the stem; the flowers are yellow, 5 cm (2 inches) broad, and have many rays, each three-notched at the extremity. The root is thick, branching and mucilaginous, and has a warm, bitter taste and a camphoraceous odor with sweet floral (similar to violet) undertones.

In France and Switzerland it is used in the manufacture of absinthe.