Helianthus petiolaris is a North American plant species in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as the prairie sunflower or lesser sunflower. Naturalist and botanist Thomas Nuttall was the first to describe the prairie sunflower in 1821. The word petiolaris in Latin means, “having a petiole”. The species originated in Western United States, but has since expanded east.
Prairie sunflower is a taprooted annual. It grows up to 4 ft (120 cm) tall.
The leaves appear alternate and the flowers have a close resemblance to the traditional sunflower.
The flowers are hermaphrodites, which means the flowers contain both male and female parts. The stem of the flower is erect and hairy. The leaves are alternate, have a lanceolate shape, are rough in texture, are bluish-green in color, and have a length between 2 and 5 in
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- The plant flowers in summer.
- What is often called the "flower" of the sunflower is actually a "flower head" (pseudanthium), 7.5–12.5 centimetres (3–5 in) wide, of numerous small individual five-petaled flowers ("florets").
- The outer flowers, which resemble petals, are called ray flowers.
- Each "petal" consists of a ligule composed of fused petals of an asymmetrical ray flower. They are sexually sterile and may be yellow, red, orange, or other colors.
- The spirally arranged flowers in the center of the head are called disk flowers. These mature into fruit (sunflower "seeds").
*Wiki
Prairie Sunflower - Helianthus Petiolaris
- Prairie Sunflower is an annual that is native to the Great Plains, from Montana and North Dakota, and south to New Mexico and Texas.
- It is typically found in open, sandy areas, roadsides and other disturbed sites. Plants grow 40-60 inches tall and have cheery, yellow flowers that appear from mid-summer to early fall.
- Excellent for restoration, pollinator conservation mixes and wildlife mixes.
- Seed usually has high dormancy.
- Plant in fall or cold stratify for 30 days in spring prior to planting.