Helianthus praecox
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Description: Annual to 2 m or higher with ovate leaves 6-30 cm long. Plant covered with stiff hairs. Leaves opposite on the lower stems, alternate on the upper ones. Flower heads 6-10 cm wide, solitary. Disks purplish brown. Rays yellow.
Plant Trivia: Mirasol translates to “sunflower”.
Field Identification:
Occurrence: Common on clay or heavier sands in pastures, woods fields, stream lowlands, and waster areas.
Bloom Period: March – December
Plant Use: Immature flower heads have been boiled and eaten, tasting a bit like artichokes which are in the same family. Sunflower seeds are a popular food for humans and for wildlife.
Key to the species of Helianthus:
- Leaves opposite………………………………………………………………………………H. ciliaris
Leaves partly or all alternate……………………………………………………………………….2
2. Leaves white, woolly………………………………………………………………H. argophyllus
Leaves not white, woolly………………………………………………………………………………3
3. Outer phyllaries ovate, abruptly pointed……………………………………H. annuus
Outer phyllaries lanceolate, tapered to a point…………………………………………4
4. Base of leaves cuneate, grossly serrate…………………………..H. grosseserratus
Base of leaves cordate, irregular, serrate…………………………………….H. praecox
stxflora 