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Helianthus petiolaris
Helianthus petiolaris Nutt.
Prairie Sunflower, Plains Sunflower
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: hepe
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A showy, 3-6 ft. annual sunflower with many-branched, erect stems. Foliage is dark green. Flower heads grow terminally on 3-4 in. peduncles. Ray flowers are yellow; disc flowers are red-purple.
The seeds of this sunflower attract birds.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , LA , MA , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , SK
Native Distribution: Great Plains, s. to TX, AZ & adjacent Mex.; naturalized eastward & occasionally westward
Native Habitat: Open, sandy prairies, plains & disturbed areas
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Description: Sandy soils.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesFind Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0929A Collected Oct 25, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike FoxNPSOT 0929C Collected Oct 25, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
NPSOT 0929B Collected Oct 25, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
Bibliography
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Helianthus petiolaris in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Helianthus petiolaris in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Helianthus petiolaris
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-28Research By: TWC Staff