Forest Sunflower Helianthus decapetalus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Helianthus strumosus
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-AN-thus de-kap-UH-tal-us
- Description
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Ten-Petal Sunflower is a rhizomatous perennial wildflower in the aster family that is native to eastern and central North America and is found in woodlands and forests. It is found in all areas of NC but is more prevalent in the Piedmont and mountains. It is a high-value wildlife plant providing food for pollinators, birds and mammals. The bright yellow flowers are up to 3 inches across and bloom from July to Oct. It can spread aggressively in the right conditions.
This plant prefers full sun to partial shade in moist, loamy, well-drained soils. Use this plant in a naturalized area, woodland edge or meadow. Great for naturalizing.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Helianthus
- Species:
- decapetalus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern and central U.S.A. and Canada
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are visited by bees, butterflies 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. Seeds are eaten by game and songbirds. Small mammals will browse the leaves.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Oblong slightly flattened dark achene about 1/8". Displays from August to November
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Yellow flower heads are 2–3½" across, consisting of 8-12 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets in a central disk. The base of each flower head consists of several overlapping light green bracts. Blooms from July to October
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lanceolate to ovate leaves are up to 7" long and 3" across with coarsely toothed margins. They are rough and dark green above and paler below. The stems are somewhat winged near the leaf blade. They are opposite on the lower portion and alternate on the upper portion.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are green to reddish to purple with hairs on the upper portions.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Weedy
