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Helianthus annuus 'Velvet Queen'
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Compositae) |
| Common Name: | Velvet Queen Sunflower |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Columnar |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herb with a branching growth habit up to 1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Flowers | The sunflower is not a single flower, but a compound flower or inflorescence known as a head which is composed of dark red, petal-like ray florets and black disk florets. |
| Fruit | The fruit is what we commonly call the sunflower seed. Technically known as an achene, it is a dry, indehiscent, one-seeded fruit. |
| Cultivation | Space plants about 45 cm apart. This cultivar begins to bloom about 60 days after sowing seed. It grows best when the soil is watered thoroughly but allowed to dry slightly before re-watering. Amend the soil with compost and avoid over-fertilising with liquid fertilizers which can cause the stem to break. Try to avoid splashing the leaves with water. Use a bamboo stake or similar item to support the stem. |
| Etymology | The genus Helianthus comes from the Greek words that mean sun ('helios') and flower ('anthos'). The specific epithet annuus means annual, referring to the annual nature of the species. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Seeds) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Transplanting Tolerance | Good |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Fertilizing | When the plant reaches 0.6 m in height, reduce fertilisation to prevent stem breakage. |
| Potential Problems | Young plants are susceptible to attack by slugs. |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
| Planting Distance | 45 cm |
| Seed / Spore Germination Duration | 7 days to 21 days |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Cordate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ), Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 ) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Wrinkled |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Head / Capitulum |
| Inflorescence Size | 15 cm |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Silver / Grey |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32859 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7273 |
| 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. |
