Helianthus maximiliani (Maximilian Sunflower, Michaelmas Daisy) - 10 Photos - Helianthus/maximiliani/ - Plant Profile

Attributes

midcontinental prairie regions of North America

The United States and Canada, particularly throughout the MidWest US and southern provinces of Canada

Numerous species of birds eat the seeds, and it provides nectar to bees and butterflies. 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.

Edibility:

This sunflower provides food for birds and livestock.

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Recommended Propagation Strategy:

Seed

Division

Play Value:

Wildlife Food Source

Attracts Pollinators

Flowers

Flower Description:

Flower heads grow on terminal stalks and from leaf axils. The flower head, with 15-19 ray flowers, is deeply veined and slightly toothed on the tip. The green to dark brown center is 1 inch across.

Flower Color:

Gold/Yellow

Flower Inflorescence:

Head

Flower Value To Gardener:

Showy

Flower Bloom Time:

Summer

Fall

Flower Petals:

7 - 20 petals/rays

Flower Shape:

Radial

Flower Size:

3-6 inches

Leaves

Leaf Description:

Leaves are long and narrow, slightly wavy or toothed on the edges, often folded lengthwise and pointed at the end. They vary in length from up to 10 inches at the bottom to 2 inches at the top. Before this plant loses its leaves in the winter, the leaves may turn purple during fall weather.

Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Leaf Color:

Green

Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:

Purple/Lavender

Leaf Type:

Simple

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Shape:

Linear