Inula helenium

Inula helenium
    n 1: tall coarse Eurasian herb having daisylike yellow flowers
         with narrow petals whose rhizomatous roots are used
         medicinally [syn: {elecampane}, {Inula helenium}]
    

Inulin \In"u*lin\, n. [From NL. {Inula Helenium}, the
   elecampane: cf. F. inuline.] (Chem.)
   A substance of very wide occurrence. It is found dissolved in
   the sap of the roots and rhizomes of many composite and other
   plants, as {Inula}, {Helianthus}, {Campanula}, etc., and is
   extracted by solution as a tasteless, white, semicrystalline
   substance, resembling starch, with which it is isomeric,
   having fructose units in place of most of the glucose units.
   It is intermediate in nature between starch and sugar, and
   replaces starch as the reserve food in Compositae. Called
   also {dahlin}, {helenin}, {alantin}, {alant starch}, etc.
   [1913 Webster +PJC]
    

Elecampane \El`e*cam*pane"\, n. [F. ['e]nulecampane, NL. inula
   campana; L. inula elecampane + LL. campana a bell; cf. G.
   glockenwurz, i. e., "bellwort."]
   1. (Bot.) A large, coarse herb ({Inula Helenium}), with
      composite yellow flowers. The root, which has a pungent
      taste, is used as a tonic, and was formerly of much repute
      as a stomachic.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A sweetmeat made from the root of the plant.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Helenin \Hel"e*nin\, n. (Chem.)
   A neutral organic substance found in the root of the
   elecampane ({Inula helenium}), and extracted as a white
   crystalline or oily material, with a slightly bitter taste.
   [1913 Webster]