Helianthus annuus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-AN-thus AN-yoo-us
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Helianthus annuus is commonly seen growing along roads, fences, fields and in waste areas west of the Mississippi River and is the state flower of Kansas. Hybridization has produced many cultivars, expanding the range of flowers from the common yellow to red, mahogany, bronze, white and bi-colors.
Steamed buds have an artichoke flavor. Petals of open flowers have a bitter-sweet flower.
This plant has been classified as invasive and should not be grown in areas where it could escape cultivation.
Family name Asteraceae (Compositae)
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Full Sun Single'
- 'Suncredible Yellow'
1st Place in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials (in ground plantings)
- 'Full Sun Single'
- 'Full Sun Single', 'Suncredible Yellow'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Full Sun Single'
- 'Suncredible Yellow'
1st Place in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials (in ground plantings)
- 'Full Sun Single'
- 'Full Sun Single', 'Suncredible Yellow'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Helianthus
- Species:
- annuus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Indians ground the seeds into flour and baked into cakes. They applied a poultice of crushed plants to snakebites and also used an infusion of the flowers for chest pains or pulmonary problems.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western United States
- Distribution:
- The sunflower was originally cultivated by Native Americans to produce a larger seed than the original wild plant. It was introduced into Europe in the sixteenth century and cultivated by the Russians on a large scale. Plants developed by the Russians were then reintroduced in the U. S. and are now grown around the world for food, oil, fuel, and fiber.
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a great late-nectar plant for butterflies and other pollinators. This is a larval host plant that supports Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). The Silvery Checkerspot has at least 1-2 broods in the north from June-July in the deep south and Texas, they have as many as 3-4 broods from May through September. Birds are attracted to seeds so leave standing dead flowers into the winter as natural bird feeders. Members of the genus Helianthus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) accepta, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) aliciae, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) helianthi, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) agilis, Dieunomia (Dieunomia) heteropoda, Megachile (Sayapis) pugnata, and Paranthidium (Paranthidium) jugatorium.
- Edibility:
- Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Herb
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate but may be opposite lower on the stalk. Each cordate leaf is irregularly toothed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
