FNPS Plant Database

Helianthus spp.

sunflower

PHOTOS COMING SOON!

Nomenclature

Common Name:

sunflower

Synonym(s):

Helianthus atrorubens, Helianthus floridanus, Helianthus divaricatus Helianthus resinosus, Helianthus heterophyllus, Helianthus microcephalus, Helianthus strumosus, Helianthus hirsutus, Helianthus occidentalis

Genus species:

Helianthus spp.

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

white

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower garden. Most species bloom best if in light shade or sun, though it does depend on species.

Considerations:

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

Depending on species, division and/or seed. Seeds are available through the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative for H. angustifolius, H. debilis and H. radula

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.



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Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Birds, Mammals

Bees and butterflies are attracted to sunflowers. The goldenrod soldier beetle (a.k.a. leatherwing beetle(,  Chauliognathus pensylvanicus is a goldenrod pollinator ( FL Wildflower Foundation ).

Birds love the seeds.

Native Habitats:

Flatwoods, woodlands, ruderal areas.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

For best results, use species naturally found in your area

Citations:

Huegel, Craig, N.  2012.  Native wildflowers and other ground covers for Florida landscapes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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