Heart-leaved oxeye

About

Telekia speciosa, or beautiful telekia, is one of the most remarkable plants of the Carpathian valleys. It grows in moist soils along rivers, streams, and lakes, in the semi-shade of forest edges, as well as in disturbed areas. Its natural range covers the mountains of southeastern and central Europe, including Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, the Balkans, and Ukraine. In Ukraine, the species is widespread in the Carpathians, mainly in the coniferous forest belt.

This powerful perennial herb can grow up to 2 m tall. The leaves are large, 10–40 cm long, triangular-heart-shaped, doubly serrated, on long petioles, and hairy underneath. The upper stem leaves are smaller and sessile. Large flower heads, 6–9 cm in diameter, open at the tips of the branches: thin yellow ligulate flowers, seemingly disheveled, surround a dark yellow center. It blooms from June to August, and in some places until early autumn.

Due to its striking appearance, telekia has long been cultivated in gardens and parks as an ornamental plant. It has been introduced to many countries outside its natural range—from Scandinavia and Great Britain to the USA and Japan. The flowers of telekia are visited by numerous pollinating insects: bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.

Near the Carpathian streams, telekia is sometimes confused with Inula helenium, another large yellow aster plant. However, in Inula, the leaves are elongated-elliptical, hairy and grayish underneath, and the flower ligules are long and narrow, more even. Telekia speciosa is not protected, but it looks best on the banks of mountain rivers, so leave it to bloom there.

Where in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries

Slovakia · Romania · Ukraine · Poland · Czechia

Mountain ranges

Greater Fatra, Strážov Mountains, Low Beskids, Skole Beskids, Bieszczady, High Tatras, Maramureș Mountains, Vihorlat Mountains, Bucegi Mountains, Slovak Ore Mountains

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

Protection and rules

Not protected.

FAQ