Helianthus petiolaris
prairie sunflower
Family Asteraceae
About
Prairie sunflower is a taprooted annual of dry western prairies and, after the common sunflower, the most widespread sunflower species.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Not recorded. We have no source on whether this plant is safe for cats, dogs or other pets — that is not the same as safe. Keep it out of reach until you have checked.
- People
- Not recorded.
- Light
- Full sun gives the most flowers; partial shade is tolerated. General guidance for the genus
- Propagation
- Seed or stem cuttings. General guidance for the genus
“General guidance for the genus” marks advice sourced for the genus as a whole rather than this species.
Field notes
Morphology
Grows up to about 1.2 m with an erect, hairy stem. Leaves are alternate, lance-shaped, rough and bluish-green, 5–13 cm long. Heads resemble a small common sunflower.
Distribution & habitat
Originated in the dry prairies of the western and central United States and has spread through the eastern states and into central and western Canada.
History & etymology
First described by Thomas Nuttall in 1821; petiolaris means "having a petiole". Sometimes treated as a weed.
Conservation
Assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- United States, Canada
- IUCN status
- Least concern
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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