Sunflower

Genus: Helianthus annuus

Sunflowers are native to the Americas and were domesticated around 1000 BC. Sunflowers have the instinctive response to turn and face their heads towards the sun and follow the sun as it moves on its path across the sky. For this reason, sunflowers are often used as a symbol for wisdom, enlightenment, and clarity. Francisco Pizarro witnessed the Inca venerating the sunflower as an image of their sun god. In the early 16th century, he transported golden images of the sunflower along with sunflower seeds back to Europe.

A sunflower patch creates a grand and imposing site, with flowers reaching up to 8 to 12 feet high and flower heads spanning up to a foot in diameter. What is perceived as the sunflower's "flower" is actually a large head of numerous tiny flowers crowded together. The flowers that make up the outer structure are called ray florets and are usually yellow, maroon, or orange. These are the outer pedals which are compared to the rays of the sun. The flowers filling the inside of the circular head of the ray florets are called disc florets. These disc florets mature into seeds, which are different from the commonly known sunflower seeds, which are actually the fruits of the plant and are popular as snack food and even more popular as bird feed.

The sunflower plant produces other useful products that have extensive value in cooking, health, and the commercial livestock business. Sunflower oil, extracted from the seeds, is a great vegetable oil for cooking, rich in Calcium and eleven other minerals. The oil is also used as a carrier oil and for producing biodiesel. The meal remaining after the seeds have been processed for oil is also used for livestock feed.

• Common Sunflower (H. annuus) - Includes the cultivars H. bismarkianus's, single yellow flower, 6 to 8 feet tall
• H. citrinus, primrose yellow flowers, 6 to 8 feet tall; H. giganteus, Russian Giant, large, single yellow flower grown mainly for seeds, 10 to 12 feet tall.
• Silverleaf Sunflower (H. argophyllus) - Stems and leaves covered with silky gray down, especially on younger growth. Flowers golden with purplish brown center, plants 5 to 6 feet tall. Silvery leaves used in fresh and dried flower arrangements.
• Cucumberleaf Sunflower (H. debilis) - Four-foot plants with multiple branches. Excellent for cutting. Three-inch flowers have a purple disk and yellow rays.