Helenium virginicum is a rare species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name Virginia sneezeweed.

[3] At the time the plant received federal protection it was known from 28 populations in two Virginia counties.

[3] Soon after, a population of similar plants was found in Missouri and by genetic analysis were confirmed to be of the same species.

[7] Helenium virginicum only grows near sinkhole ponds in the Ozark Highlands of Missouri and the western margin of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.

[1][8] These ponds are lined with clay or bedrock and are filled with water from about January to June or July each year.