 The flower heads up to 5 cm (2 inches) broad, each head containing 50-100 yellow ray flowers and 100-250 yellow disc flowers.The root is thick, branching and mucilaginous, and has a bitter taste and a camphoraceous odour with sweet floral (similar to violet) undertones.The plant's specific name, "helenium", derives from Helen of Troy; elecampane is said to have sprung up from where her tears fell.