Hairy Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus): yellow Minnesota wildflowers

Hairy Sunflower

Plant Info
Also known as:	Hispid Sunflower, Stiff-haired Sunflower
Scientific name:	Helianthus hirsutus
Family:	Aster (Asteraceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun, part shade; dry, open woods, thickets, fields
Bloom season:	summer, fall
Plant height:	2 to 6 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park

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Flower:: Flowers are a typical sunflower, 2 to 3½ inches across, with 10 to 15 golden yellow petals (ray flowers) and a yellow to yellow-brown center.
The bracts are about ½ inch long, sharply pointed, loosely spreading and have finely hairy edges. One plant has from 1 to a few flowers.
Leaves and stem:: Leaves are up to 6 inches long and 2½ inches wide, tapering to a pointed tip. The leaf base is rounded and tapers abruptly to a short “winged” leaf stem. The leaf edges usually have shallow teeth but may be nearly toothless. The upper surface of the leaf is rough and the underside is hairy. Attachment is opposite. The main stem is thick and covered in stiff hairs, though may become smooth with age.
Notes:: Sunflowers are hard to tell apart. Hairy Sunflower is distinguished from other sunflowers mostly by the stiff hairs on the stem and shallow teeth on the leaf edges. The leaves are typically wider (proportionate to leaf length) than other sunflowers. Hairy Sunflower tends to grow in colonies.

More yellow wildflowers. Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN September 2006 and 2007

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?