Helianthus annuus: Uses (Ethnobotany)
Indians ground the seeds into flour and baked into cakes. They applied a poultice of crushed plants to snakebites and also used an infusion of the flowers for chest pains or pulmonary problems.
Plant Profile: Helianthus annuus
Taxonomy: Helianthus annuusNames
Common Sunflower, Sunflower, Wild Sunflower
Phonetic Spelling:hee-lee-AN-thus AN-yoo-us
Genus:Helianthus
Species:annuus
Family:Asteraceae
Helianthus annuus, often found flourishing along roadsides, fences, fields, and in neglected areas west of the Mississippi River, is recognized as the state flower of Kansas. Through hybridization, a variety of cultivars have emerged, showcasing a spectrum of colors that range from the typical yellow to shades of red, mahogany, bronze, white, and even bi-colored varieties.
The steamed buds of this plant offer a flavor reminiscent of artichokes, while the petals of fully opened flowers present a unique bitter-sweet taste.
It is important to note that this species has been identified as invasive and should be avoided in regions where it might spread beyond cultivated areas.
Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
For further details on Helianthus, additional resources are available.
Helianthus annuus Feature Summary
Helianthus annuus Image Gallery
Tags
#gold
#yellow
#full sun tolerant
#annual
#drought tolerant
#red-brown
#wildlife plant
#edible flowers
#nectar plant
#specialized bees
#summer flowers
#edible seeds
#fantz
#larval host plant
#edible
#allelopathic
#bird friendly
#butterfly friendly
#pollinator garden
#bee friendly
#silvery checkerspot butterfly
Similar Plants
Helianthus annuus Feature Summary
Attributes
Indians ground the seeds into flour and baked into cakes. They applied a poultice of crushed plants to snakebites and also used an infusion of the flowers for chest pains or pulmonary problems.
Western United States
The sunflower was originally cultivated by Native Americans to produce a larger seed than the original wild plant. It was introduced into Europe in the sixteenth century and cultivated by the Russians on a large scale. Plants developed by the Russians were then reintroduced in the U. S. and are now grown around the world for food, oil, fuel, and fiber.
It is a great late-nectar plant for butterflies and 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. Birds are attracted to seeds so leave standing dead flowers into the winter as natural bird feeders. Members of the genus Helianthus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) accepta, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) aliciae, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) helianthi, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) agilis, Dieunomia (Dieunomia) heteropoda, Megachile (Sayapis) pugnata, and Paranthidium (Paranthidium) jugatorium.
Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
Annual
Leaves
The leaves are alternate but may be opposite lower on the stalk. Each cordate leaf is irregularly toothed.
Deciduous
Green
Cordate
Whole Plant Traits
Annual
Edible
Herb
Deciduous
Erect
Rapid
Low
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Good Drainage
12 inches-3 feet
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
2a
2b
3a
3b
9a
9b
10a
10b
11a
11b
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Fruit
Achene
Edible
< 1 inch
< 1 inch
Flowers
Gold/Yellow
Brown/Copper
Orange
Good Cut
Showy
Edible
Summer
Fall
7 - 20 petals/rays
Radial
3-6 inches
Stem
Landscape
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Cottage Garden
Native Garden
Border
Mass Planting
Drought
Deer
Dry Soil
Poor Soil
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Invasive Species
Helianthus annuus Image Gallery
Helianthus annuus Attributes
Helianthus annuus: Country Or Region Of Origin
Western United States
Helianthus annuus: Distribution
The sunflower was originally cultivated by Native Americans to produce a larger seed than the original wild plant. It was introduced into Europe in the sixteenth century and cultivated by the Russians on a large scale. Plants developed by the Russians were then reintroduced in the U. S. and are now grown around the world for food, oil, fuel, and fiber.
Helianthus annuus: Wildlife Value
It is a great late-nectar plant for butterflies and 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. Birds are attracted to seeds so leave standing dead flowers into the winter as natural bird feeders. Members of the genus Helianthus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) accepta, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) aliciae, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) helianthi, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) agilis, Dieunomia (Dieunomia) heteropoda, Megachile (Sayapis) pugnata, and Paranthidium (Paranthidium) jugatorium.
Helianthus annuus: Edibility
Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
Helianthus annuus: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Helianthus annuus: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Helianthus annuus Leaves
Helianthus annuus: Leaf Description
The leaves are alternate but may be opposite lower on the stalk. Each cordate leaf is irregularly toothed.
Helianthus annuus: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Helianthus annuus: Leaf Color
Green
Helianthus annuus: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Helianthus annuus: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Helianthus annuus Whole Plant Traits
Helianthus annuus: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Helianthus annuus: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Helianthus annuus: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Helianthus annuus: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Helianthus annuus: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Helianthus annuus: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Helianthus annuus Cultural Conditions
Helianthus annuus: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Helianthus annuus: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Helianthus annuus: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Helianthus annuus: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Helianthus annuus: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
10a
10b
11a
11b
2a
2b
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Helianthus annuus: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Helianthus annuus Fruit
Helianthus annuus: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Helianthus annuus: Fruit Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Helianthus annuus: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Helianthus annuus: Fruit Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Helianthus annuus: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Helianthus annuus Flowers
Helianthus annuus: Flower Color
Brown/Copper
Gold/Yellow
Orange
Helianthus annuus: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Helianthus annuus: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Helianthus annuus: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Helianthus annuus: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Helianthus annuus: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Helianthus annuus: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Helianthus annuus Stem
Helianthus annuus: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Helianthus annuus Landscape
Helianthus annuus: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Helianthus annuus: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Helianthus annuus: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Helianthus annuus: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Helianthus annuus: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Helianthus annuus: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
