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Helianthus annuus L.
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Compositae) |
| Synonyms: | Helianthus annuus var. lenticularis (Douglas ex Lindl.) Steyerm., Helianthus annuus f. lenticularis (Douglas ex Lindl.) B.Boivin, Helianthus annuus subsp. lenticularis (Douglas ex Lindl.) Cockerell, Helianthus annuus lenticularis (Douglas ex Lindl.) Cockerell, Helianthus annuus var. macrocarpus (DC.) Cockerell |
| Common Name: | Common Sunflower, Bunga Matahari, 向日葵, 太阳花 |
Helianthus annuus or Common Sunflower is an annual herb that can reach up to 3 m in height. Leaves are ovate to heart-shaped, covered in coarse hairs. The single large yellow flower is known as a Capitate inflorscence made up of yellow ray and disk florets. The popular annual is used in various dishes, cut flower displays or planted along the borders of flowerbeds. The common sunflower are long-cultivated to produce a variety of ornamental cutivars from dwarf varieties to variegated flowers.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Tiered |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.3 m to 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | United States and Central America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a stout mostly single-stemmed annual. The life ranges between 2 to 6 months, that can grow to 3 m tall. The height of the plant varies with the cutlivars. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its foliage varies from ovate, obovate to heart-shaped, arranged alternately along the robust green stem. The leaves are coarsely-hairy with serrated (toothed) margins, measuring at 10 – 40 by 5 – 40 cm. |
| Flowers | Its flowers are produced in a large terminal composite heads of up to 30 cm wide, consisting of sterile, yellow ray florets ("petals") and central disc florets, pleasantly scented, attractive to bees, butterflies and beetles. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are 1-seeded achenes (sunflower seeds) from pollinated disc florets, eaten by birds and humans. |
| Habitat | It occurs in dry plains, prairies, meadows and foothills in the western U.S., Canada and northern Mexico |
| Cultivation | It grows easily in average, moist, well-drained soils under full sun conditions (6 - 8 hours of sunlight). They are tolerant to poor soils that are on the dry side. For taller individuals, sheltered them from the wind, or provide support to keep the plant upright. Seeds can be collected from mature flower heads and dried for future use, although seedlings of cultivars may not come true. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Helianthus' comes from Greek words 'helios' (sun) and 'anthos' (flower), describing how non-flowering specimens often turn to face into the sun. Species epithet 'annuus' refers to the "annual", short-lived growth cycle of plant. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Flowers, Edible Seeds Food (Herb or Spice) (Fruit or Vegetable) Others: Seeds roasted and eaten as snacks or added into food. Also processed into oils, margarines, livestock feed or bird seed. Used by Native Americans to make flour and cakes. Ray florets can be used as garnish in salads or make yellow dyes. 2-leafed tender seedings can be eaten raw as snack, with nutty flavour resembling sunflower seeds. Flowers used as poultice to treat burns. Chewed roots applied to relieve swelling from snake and spider bites. Flowers made into tea by Native Americans for lung ailments and malaria, Leaves drunk as tea to treat high fevers. In 19th century America, sunflowers were planted near homes as "protection" from malaria. Large flower heads commonly used in bouquets and floral arrangements. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Well-known garden plant. Use in borders or plant close together to make a temporary screen. Dwarf cultivars (less than 1m height) may be used in containers. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | General, Flowerbed / Border, Hedge / Screening, Focal Plant |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden, Naturalistic Garden, Wildflower Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Leaves may cause contact allergies in sensitive individuals. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Seeds), Butterfly-Attracting (Flower Nectar), Butterfly Host Plant (Leaves) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Moist Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute, Rough, Scaly, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Obovate, Cordate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Dentate, Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cordate, Truncate / Square |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ), Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 ) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Brown, Yellow / Golden |
|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Ligulate / Strap-shaped |
| Flower Size - Remarks | 15-35 cm across |
| Inflorescence Type | Head / Capitulum |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
| Flowering Habit | Monocarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, White |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
References
| References | Missouri Botanical Garden (continuously updated), Helianthus annuus - Plant Finder. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a583. Accessed 11 January 2022. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (continuously updated). Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:119003-2. Accessed 11 January 2022. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 770 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2065 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
