Orange sneezeweed
Helenium hoopesii (Hymenoxys hoopesii)
- Plant type
- forb
- Settings
- Rangeland
- Risk
- Moderate risk Our rating from the cited sources.
- Review
- Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
Photos
Planned.
How to tell it
Orange sunflower-like flower heads; smooth lance-shaped leaves; moist mountain meadows (ARS, Merck).
Look-alikes: Planned.
What to do on a site walk
- Limit time.
- Graze stands only briefly.
- Remove animals at first signs.
Why it matters
- Toxic principle
- Sesquiterpene lactones (helenalin, hymenoxon)
- Toxic parts
- Whole plant
- Basis for our rating
- Chewgrass rating. ARS and Merck: cumulative poisoning, mostly in sheep. Langston lists sneezeweed for goats.
Signs in goats
Repeated vomiting (spewing sickness), green-stained lips, weakness, stiff gait, coughing, weight loss (ARS, Merck).
If you think an animal has been poisoned, call your vet right away.
Season
Eaten in summer and fall when other forage runs short (ARS).
Sources
Links last checked: 2026-10-31