Sunflower
- Helianthus annus
Family: Asteraceae
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Description
Common sunflower is a coarse taprooted annual. The stems are rough, branching
upwardly often reaching 3 m in height. The leaves are alternate (lowermost
may be opposite), with long petioles. The ovate-to-broadly ovate leaf
blades are usually toothed along the margin. The inflorescence is a head
borne on a long stalk. The involucral bracts are ovate to lanceolate with
hairy margins. The ray flowers are bright yellow. The disk flowers are
usually reddish to purple, rarely yellow. The fruit is a glabrous achene
with a pappus of two principal awns.
Interesting facts
Sunflowers are common along roadsides, fence rows, fields, pastures,
and other open places. Sunflowers can invade cultivated sites and pastures
forming dense stands.
Links to more information
Website, video, and graphics by Rob Nelson
For more information on this plant or management please contact US Army Corp of Engineers
Sunflower Video
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