Resinous Sunflower Helianthus resinosus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Helianthus Tomentosus Michaux
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-AN-thus res-in-OH-sus
- Description
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Resinous Sunflower is an herbaceous perennial wildflower native to several southeastern states. It nature, it can be found growing along roadsides, in pine woodlands, mixed hardwood forests, and thickets. Each stem can grow up to 8 feet in height and will produce 1 to 5 flower heads. Each head has 10 to 20 yellow ray petals which are the outer larger petals and over 90 yellow disc flowers, which are the tiny innermost flowers. This sunflower is noted for the abundant yellow resin dots or glands on the leaves and flower heads.
This plant is native to North Carolina and prefers full sun to partial shade and soil of average moisture. However, it does tolerate dry soil and soils of most texture, including clay. It is self-seeding and you can easily expand your garden with this large perennial for years. It will also multiply by underground suckers. The suckers can be shared with other gardeners. Once they have become established, a small trowel can be used to dig them up. Pot them and give them time to establish a root system before replanting. Of course, the ease with which it spreads can make it a problem to keep under control.
This plant is sometimes mistakenly sold under the name Helianthus Tomentosus Michaux.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests. The plant can become invasive as it spreads through suckers.
- 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:
- resinosus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC
- Wildlife Value:
- The seeds from the flower heads are a winter food source for birds and small mammals. Butterflies and bees are attracted to the many disc flowers. Flowers provide nectar to pollinators from July until the first frost. 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.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Textural
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from July 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:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Blooms from June to October with large, 6 inch heads with 10 to 20 petals and 90 or more small disc flowers in the center.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- The foliage is covered by stiff hairs inside small glands. The veined foliage is a deep green color and also stiff. Leaves are opposite on the lower portion of the stem and alternate above.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are unbranched below the flower.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
