Flower ID: IMG_8302.JPG-08-01-2021 Flower name (scientific): Helianthus occidentalis Riddell PY: 1836. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) hee-lee-AN-thus ok-sih-den-TAY-liss Flower name (common): Few-leaf 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 western or of the west. Common name origin: From the small number of leaves on the stem. 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: 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.8 to 6.3 cm) Petal count: 21 Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-cyme Plant description: Size: 24 to 50 inches (61 to 127 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Basal leaves up to 15 to 18 cm long and up to 7 cm wide. Stem leaves up to 7 cm long and 2 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, oblong-lanceolate or elliptic to ovate (FNA), basal oval to ovate, upper leaves (few in number) lanceolate or elliptic (IL). Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Fields, prairies, savannas, roadsides, sun, dry to moist, sandy soil. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): At first glance other Helianthus spp. (sunflowers). However, the basal leaf arrangement and particularly the naked stem with few pairs of leaves help identify Helianthus occidentalis. A small plant of Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock) has some resemblance, but this can be distinguished by its large basal leaves and leafless stems. At maturity Silphium terebinthinaceum is a much taller plant, up to 3 m, compared with Helianthus occidentalis, which is up to 1.5 m tall. Ethnobotany: The Objibwa employed the plant to treat bruises and contusions (Hoffman, p. 199, 1891). Latitude: 44.796392 Longitude: -91.513470 Altitude: 275.30 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AR, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV) In Canada: References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Helianthus occidentalis subsp. occidentalis (The other infraspecific is Helianthus occidentalis subsp. plantagineus (Torrey & A. Gray) Heiser. This subspecies is native to Arkansas and Texas.)