Helianthus annuus

• 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. 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 and livestock feed.

  Dimensions:

  Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.

  Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Annual

  Herb

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Habit/Form:

  Erect

  Growth Rate:

  Rapid

  Maintenance:

  Low

  Texture:

  Coarse

• 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

• Fruit:

  Fruit Value To Gardener:

  Edible

  Display/Harvest Time:

  Fall

  Fruit Type:

  Achene

  Fruit Length:

  < 1 inch

  Fruit Width:

  < 1 inch

• 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

• 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.

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• 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

  Songbirds

  Specialized Bees

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Deer

  Drought

  Dry Soil

  Poor Soil

  Problems:

  Invasive Species