Elecampane (_Inula helenium_) Is a European perennial plant of the
aster family, now growing wild along roadsides and in fields throughout
the northeastern part of the United States. The root is used in
medicine.
Elecampane will grow in almost any soil, but thrives best in deep
clay loam well supplied with moisture. The ground on which this
plant is to be grown should be deeply plowed and thoroughly prepared
before planting. It is preferable to use divisions of old roots for
propagation, and these should be set in the fall about 18 inches apart
in rows 3 feet apart. Plants may also be grown from seeds, which may be
sown in the spring in seeds beds and the seedlings transplanted later
to the field and set in the same manner as the root divisions. Plants
grown from seed do not flower the first year. Cultivation should be
sufficient to keep the soil in good condition and free from weeds.
The roots are dug in the fall of the second year, thoroughly cleaned,
sliced, and dried in the shade. The available data on yield indicate
that a ton or more of dry root per acre may be expected. The price to
producers usually ranges from 3 to 6 cents a pound. Upward of 50,000
pounds of elecampane root were annually imported into this country
prior to the war.