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Forest Sunflower Helianthus decapetalus

Previously known as:

  • Helianthus strumosus
Phonetic Spelling
hee-lee-AN-thus de-kap-UH-tal-us
Description

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.

More information on Helianthus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#yellow flowers#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#coastal UPL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#FACU Piedmont Mountains#host plant#Audubon#silvery checkerspot butterfly#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#yellow flowers#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#coastal UPL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#FACU Piedmont Mountains#host plant#Audubon#silvery checkerspot butterfly#weed#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Problems:
    Weedy