Himalayan elecampane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Himalayan elecampane
• Indian elecampane

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Helenium racemosum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Asterales and is a member of the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus name, Inula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several continents. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Great Britain. Its presence extends into Middle Europe, where it is documented in both Belgium and Germany. Moving toward Western Asia, the species is also located in Afghanistan. Finally, its range reaches into China, specifically within the South-Central region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Inula racemosa is characterized by its specific distribution across varying altitudinal gradients, primarily inhabiting montane or sub-montane environments. It demonstrates a distinct vertical preference, with its occurrence spanning an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 700 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. Within this distribution, the species typically thrives at a mean elevation of approximately 1100 m AMSL, suggesting an ecological niche optimized for the specific climatic and soil conditions found at these mid-altitude levels.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Inula racemosa is characterized by its nature as a perennial herb, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. Its development follows a multi-year trajectory where the plant establishes a robust root system that allows it to survive periods of dormancy and re-emerge annually. As a perennial, it exhibits a continuous life cycle that can be categorized within the broader spectrum of annual, biennial, or variable growth patterns depending on environmental conditions, though it primarily focuses on long-term survival and repeated reproductive efforts. Over its lifespan, the plant undergoes seasonal phases of vegetative growth, flowering, and seed dispersal, ensuring its persistence in its natural habitat through successive generations.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Inula racemosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as a self-supporting climber, exhibiting a growth habit that allows it to ascend through its own structural integrity without requiring external support. As a herbaceous species, it lacks significant woody tissue, maintaining a soft, non-woody stem structure throughout its development.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological architecture of the foliage in Inula racemosa is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and transpiration rates. The leaf length exhibits a broad developmental spectrum, ranging from a minimum of 20 cm to a maximum of 50 cm, with a calculated mean length of 35 cm across the plant's canopy. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a corresponding range in leaf width, which spans from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 20 cm. These varying surface area dimensions suggest an adaptive physiological strategy to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

50 cm

Leaf length mean:

35 cm

Leaf length min:

20 cm

Leaf width max:

20 cm

Leaf width min:

10 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Inula racemosa has 4 reported plant parts identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, rhizome, stem.

Root

1. International journal of radiation biology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
4. Natural product research
5. Phytochemistry

Leaf

1. Journal of basic microbiology
2. Natural product research
3. Chemistry & biodiversity

Rhizome

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Annals of botany

Stem

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Inula racemosa has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alantolactone, Isoalantolactone, 4,5-Epoxy-11(13)-guaien-12,8-olide, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Costunolide.

Alantolactone

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
4. BMC plant biology
5. Journal of chromatographic science

Isoalantolactone

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
3. Phytochemistry
4. BMC plant biology
5. Journal of chromatographic science

4,5-Epoxy-11(13)-guaien-12,8-olide

1. Natural product research

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Phytochemistry

Costunolide

1. Journal of chromatographic science

Daucosterol

1. Phytochemistry

Dehydrocostus lactone

1. Journal of chromatographic science

Fatty acids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Glycosides

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Isoalloalantolactone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Inula racemosa has 15 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiallergic, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antiperoxidative.

Antiallergic

1. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Anticancer

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Antifungal

1. Phytochemistry

Antimicrobial

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Antiperoxidative

1. Die Pharmazie

Antiseptic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antispasmodic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aphrodisiac

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cardiotonic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Carminative

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Inula racemosa has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include blood glucose, cancer, chest pain, Aspergillus flavus, Candida tropicalis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations