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Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameSunflower

DescriptionIconic tall annual with large yellow flower heads that track the sun across sky (heliotropism). What looks like single flower is actually hundreds of tiny flowers (composite head). Outer ray florets (petals) surround central disk florets (seeds). Native to North America, now grown worldwide for seeds, oil, ornamental use. Easy to grow from seed. Attracts bees, butterflies, birds. Symbolizes adoration, loyalty, longevity.

FamilyAsteraceae

GenusHelianthus

TribeHeliantheae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(pappus) C(5) A(5) G(2)

Ebracteate, radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, calyx modified to pappus or absent, 5 fused petals (ray florets yellow and sterile, disk florets brown/purple and fertile), 5 stamens fused into tube, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Composite flower head typical of Asteraceae

Features

Name 'Helianthus' from Greek 'helios' (sun) and 'anthos' (flower). Young flower heads track sun east to west (heliotropism) - mature heads face east. About 70 Helianthus species, all North American. Cultivated by Native Americans 3,000+ years ago. Introduced to Europe 1500s. Now major crop - 4th largest oilseed crop worldwide
Flower heads 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) across, some varieties to 24 inches. Composite inflorescence (capitulum) with 1,000-2,000 individual flowers. Outer ray florets (20-40) yellow, petal-like, sterile. Central disk florets (hundreds) brown/purple, fertile, produce seeds. Blooms summer-fall (July-October). Each head lasts 2-3 weeks
Annual herb with single thick stem, rough texture. Large heart-shaped leaves 6-16 inches long, rough, hairy, alternate. Stem and leaves follow sun when young. Deep taproot (6+ feet) makes drought tolerant. Entire plant dies after setting seed. Varieties: giant (12-15 feet), dwarf (2-3 feet), branching, colored
Grows 3-15 feet (1-4.5 m) tall depending on variety. Giant varieties to 20 feet. Spread 1-3 feet. Lifespan 1 year (annual). Propagated from seed only. Seeds germinate in 7-10 days. Blooms 70-100 days from planting. Each head produces 1,000-2,000 seeds
Native to North and Central America - Great Plains, Mexico. Grows in prairies, roadsides, disturbed areas. Now cultivated worldwide - Russia, Ukraine, Argentina major producers. Thrives in temperate climates. Grows wild across North America. Adaptable to many conditions
Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily) - essential for growth and flowering. Tolerates wide range of soils - prefers well-drained. Drought tolerant once established (deep taproot). Heavy feeder - benefits from fertilizer. Hardy zones 2-11 (annual). Very easy to grow - beginner-friendly
Seeds edible - roasted for snacks, pressed for oil (sunflower oil). Major agricultural crop for oil, birdseed. Excellent cut flower (harvest when petals just opening). Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. Goldfinches, chickadees eat seeds. Deer resistant. Used in phytoremediation (removes toxins from soil). Symbolizes adoration, loyalty
Sow seeds directly in garden after last frost, 1 inch deep, 6 inches apart. Thin to 1-2 feet apart. Stake tall varieties. Water regularly until established. Fertilize monthly. Harvest seeds when back of head turns brown. Cover with netting to protect from birds. Very easy - plant and watch grow

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificHelianthus annuus

English (Alternate)Helianthus, Jerusalem artichoke

Hindiसूरजमुखी (soorajamukhee)

Tamilசூரியகாந்தி (Sooriyagandhi)

Teluguప్రొద్దు తిరుగుడు (Proddu Tirugudu), సూర్యకాంతం పువ్వు (Suryakantham Puvvu)

Malayalamസൂര്യകാന്തി (Suryakanthi)

Kannadaಸೂರ್ಯಕಾಂತಿ (Sūryakānti)

Sanskritसूर्यकन्ति (suryakanti), अर्कपत्रम् (arkapatram), अर्कदलः (arkadalah)

Bengaliসূর্যমুখী (Surjomukhi), রাধাপদ্ম (Radhapaddo)

Frenchtournesol

Russianподсолнечник (podsolnechnik), подсолнух (podsolnukh)

Spanishgirasol

Germandie Sonnenblume

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.