Flower:

Flowers are at the top of the plant and at the end of stems that arise from leaf axils near the top of the plant. Individual flowers are 2 to 4 inches across with 15 to 30 yellow ray flowers (petals) and yellow disk flowers.

There are a few layers of bracts behind the flower; bracts are long, narrow and spreading, and convered in short, flattened hairs.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are up to 10 inches long and 2 inches wide, grayish green, folded up along the center vein and arching, with a pointed tip, tapering at the base and a short or no leaf stem. Leaves are mostly toothless but sometimes have small teeth; the texture is rough on both upper and lower surfaces. Attachment is mostly alternate but is opposite in the lower part of the plant. The main stem is roughly hairy, especially near the top, and is green or purplish. One plant may have multiple stems.

Notes:

Maximilian Sunflower most closely resembles Sawtooth Sunflower, but the latter has coarsely toothed leaves and longer leaf stems. Maximilian Sunflower leaves are mostly toothless, and its bracts are rather longer.