Flower ID: IMG_2007.JPG-09-10-2017 Flower name (scientific): Helianthus giganteus Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) hee-lee-AN-thus jy-GAN-tee-us (or ji-GAN-te-us) Flower name (common): Giant Sunflower Family name (common): Aster (Daisy) 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 of or connected with the giants. In reference to the size of the plant. Common name origin: Giant from the obvious size of the plant. 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: 2.0 to 3.0 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) Petal count: ray florets 12 to 20, disk florets 60+. Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Solitary Plant description: Erect Size: 36 to 120 inches (0.9 to 3 m) tall. Stem hairy: moderately covered in spreading hairs. Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate and/or opposite, type is simple Size: Leaves are up to about 20 cm long and about 4 to 5 cm wide. Color: medium green on the upper surface, slightly lighter on the lower surface. Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, lanceolate to lance-ovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Swamps, marshes, forests, sun, moist. Fruit: Cypselae about 3 to 4 mm in length, surface glabrate. Seed: light to dark brown, 3 to 4 mm in length. Importance to wildlife: Click for pollinator information on this flower. Similar species (if any): H. grosseserratus (Sawtooth Sunflower) and H. pauciflorus (Stiff Sunflower) have similar features, in particular narrow leaves. H. grosseserratus can be distinguished by its hairless stems, and H. pauciflorus by its reddish purple disk florets and stout phyllaries, whereas H. giganteus has hairy stems and yellow disc florets. To complicate matters, H. giganteus forms hybrids with H. divaricatus, H. grosseserratus, and H. maximilianii. The sunflowers in our region that hit ten feet (3.05 m) or more in height are H. giganteus, H. grosseserratus, H. maximiliani (Maximilian Sunflower) and H. tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke). Different sources report smaller typical maximum heights for the latter two species. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes in Wisconsin. The Cherkoee employed the plant as a nose medicine (Moerman, p. 258, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, QC) 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 17 heterotypic synonyms for this species. Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FACW Wetland Status (MW): FACW