Schweinitz's Sunflower Helianthus schweinitzii
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-AN-thus shwei-NIT-zee-eye
- Description
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Schweinitz's Sunflower is a native herbaceous wildflower in the aster family. In nature it is found in the clay soils of woodlands, forest openings, grasslands, and along roadsides in the Piedmont areas of North and South Carolina. Once endemic to these areas, it is now listed as an endangered species by federal and North Carolina state agencies. This plant is one of the rarest species of sunflower in the United States and is not recommended for home landscapes.
This plant grows best in well drained soil with full sun. However, it does tolerate sandy and clay soils as well as dry soils. It does not do well in full shade. The plant has tuberous roots and can spread quickly.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests. This plant spreads by tuberous roots and grow out of control.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Helianthus
- Species:
- schweinitzii
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North and South Carolina
- Wildlife Value:
- 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- 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)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from September to November. Schweinitz's sunflower spreads through dispersal of seeds without a dormant period.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Blooms from August to October.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are arranged in pairs on the lower part of the stem but singly on the upper part. Leaves grow out from the stem at a right angle and the tips of the leaves tend to droop. The leaves are thick and stiff, with a rough upper surface. They have broad spiny hairs that are directed toward the tip, and soft white hairs cover the underside.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Stems are purple and usually solitary, branching only at or above mid-stem. The upper third bears secondary branches at 45-degree angles.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
