Flower ID: IMG_8342.JPG-08-09-2023 Flower name (scientific): Helianthus annuus Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) hee-lee-AN-thus AN-yoo-us Flower name (common): Common Sunflower Family name (common): Aster Family name (scientific): Asteraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek helios for sun, and the Greek anthos for flower. References the presummed inclination of the sunflower to face in the direction of the sun. Specific epithet: Latin for annual, which is the cycle for this plant. Common name origin: This plant is introduced widely around the world. Sunflower is compounded from sun + flower, and based on the heliotropism exhibited – the ability of the immature sunflower buds to turn in the direction of the sun. Mature flowers lose their movement ability. Flower description: Size: 3.0 to 6.0 inches (7.6 to 15 cm) Petal count: ray florets typically in the range 17 to 30, less commonly as low as 13 and as high as 100+. Disc florets typically up to 150+ and less commonly up to 1000+. Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-cyme Plant description: Size: 36 to 120 inches (0.9 to 3 m) Stem hairy: moderately pubescent with stiff hairs. Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate and/or opposite, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 40 cm long and up to 20 to 40 cm wide. Color: medium green Hairy: lower surface usually hispid. Other: Shape: leaf, lance-ovate to ovate (FNA), cordate, ovate-cordate, ovate or lanceolate (IL). Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): July to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, waste areas, prairies, meadows, fields, sun, dry to mesic. Fruit: Achenes with glabrate surface. Seed: Typically about 4 to 5 mm in length, with a range up to 15 mm, dark brown to blackish, with light brown striations. The dehulled kernel is light brown in color. Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. The large flower heads help identify this species. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes in Wisconsin. Used by at least 15 different tribes for a wide variety of ailments. Employed by at least 19 tribes as a food source. Also used by tribes as a fiber and dye source (Moerman, pp. 257-258, 1998). Latitude: 44.799972 Longitude: -91.509223 Altitude: 253.90 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Grant, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Marinette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Pierce, Outagamie, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Walworth, Waukesha, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 1 homotypic synonym for this species. Heterotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 53 heterotypic synonyms for this species. Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU