Helianthus petiolaris (Prairie Sunflower)

Plant Info

Also known as:	Plains Sunflower
Genus:	Helianthus
Family:	Asteraceae (Aster)
Life cycle:	annual
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun; dry sandy soil, prairies, along roads
Bloom season:	summer to early fall
Plant height:	1 to 4 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flower is 1½ to 3 inches across, 12 to 25 yellow petals (ray flowers) and a dark brown disk. A plant has 1 to a few flower heads, each at the end of a stem 3 to 4 inches long.

The bracts are flat, wide at the base tapering to sharply pointed tips, with short bristly hairs.

Leaves and stem:

The leaves are rather variable—they may be triangular, oval, or shaped like the head of a spear. All leaves have a rough texture and somewhat curly edges; the color is a dull green. There are 2 prominent lower veins that run parallel to the main center vein. There may be a few shallow teeth along the edge, but leaves are mostly toothless. The leaf size is variable depending on the shape. Elongated spear-shapes may be up to 6 inches long and 1 inch wide. Triangular leaves are up to 3½ inches long and 2 inches wide. The leaf stems are fairly long, and longer towards the base of the plant. The main is stem is woody and has a rough texture.

Fruit:

A round head of ¼-inch brown seeds.

Notes:

Prairie Sunflower can grow in clumps that make it look like a small bush, but it is not unusual to see single plants scattered around.

More photos

• Prairie Sunflower plants, about 30 inches tall
• an isolated plant with spearhead-like leaves

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN September 2007 and August-September 2009

Comments

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