Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Sunflower, Helianthus annuus

Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly, Battus philenor, On A Sunflower, Helianthus annuus Photo Taken At Yarnell, Arizona. August 31, 2008.
Sunflower, Helianthus annuus

Sunflowers Grow In Clumps	Sunflower Leaves
Fresh Sunflower Blossom Source Of Pollen For The Bees	Older Sunflower Blossom

Sunflower Helianthus annuus, Aster Family: ( Asteraceae ), Sunflower. Also called: Common Sunflower, Mirasol. These plants are called sunflowers because the flowerhead looks like the sun and because it follows the sun across the sky. There are some 70-80 species of Helianthus, all native to the New World. Some are perennials, many are popular garden ornamentals, and one, Jerusalem artichoke (H. tuberosus), is grown throughout the world for its edible tubers. Most sunflowers have large flowerheads 8-12 inches across. Height: Growing about 12 to 108 inches tall. Many species of sunflowers can reach 8 - 15 feet in height. Flowers: Flowerheads 3 - 4 inches across; yellow ray florets and purplish brown disk florets. The ray florets of sunflowers are sterile, and only the disk florets produce seeds. Blooming Time: April - November. Leaves: The leaves are bright, evergreen heart-shaped leaves, simple leaves, and up to 1" long. The stems and leaves are covered with hairs. Found: Found throughout lower elevations in Arizona. Elevation: 0 - 2500 Feet. Habitat: Alkaline, well-drained/light soils. A common plant in Arizona. Native of the New World. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken June 29, 2005. In Glendale. Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly Photo Taken At Yarnell, Arizona. August 31, 2008.