Common Names: Common Sunflower
Synonyms: Helianthus annuus ssp. jaegeri, Helianthus annuus ssp. lenticularis, Helianthus annuus ssp. texanus, Helianthus annuus var. lenticularis, Helianthus annuus var. macrocarpus, Helianthus annuus var. texanus, Helianthus aridus, Helianthus lenticularis
Taxonomy: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
Habit: annual Forb, herb
Size: 1.5-10’ tall
Flowers: yellow, red, brown
Bloom: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Leaves: alternate
Fruit: cypsela
Description:
The plant has an erect rough-hairy stem, reaching typical heights of 3 metres (10 feet). Sunflower leaves are broad, coarsely toothed, rough and mostly alternate; those near the bottom are largest and commonly heart-shaped. The plant flowers in summer. What is often called the “flower” of the sunflower is actually a “flower head” (pseudanthium), 3-5” (7.5–12.5 cm) wide, of numerous small individual five-petaled flowers (“florets”). The outer flowers, which resemble petals, are called ray flowers. The spirally arranged flowers in the center of the head are called disk flowers. These mature into fruit (sunflower “seeds”). In today’s market, most of the sunflower seeds provided or grown by farmers are hybrids, of which there are many.
Distribution: all 50 states
Habitat: The plant was first domesticated in the Americas. Sunflowers grow best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil with heavy mulch. They often appear on dry open areas and foothills.
