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| Scientific Name | Helianthus annuus | USDA PLANTS Symbol | HEAN3 |
| Common Name | Sunflower, Common Sunflower | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 36616 |
| Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Plains to montane (3300 to 9000 ft.); dry soils, disturbed areas, fence rows. Widely distributed. Plant: Erect annual, widely branching 1 to 8 feet tall, rough, hairy stems. Leaves: Rough, alternate, ovate to ovate-oblong with cordate bases; blades 4 to 16 inches long and nearly as wide on long petioles. Inflorescence: Bright yellow composite flower heads 3 to 5 inches across with 17 to 30 rays surrounding normally dark brown central disk florets; wide phyllaries ovate to lance-ovate, with ciliate margins, and abruptly narrowed, pointed tips. Bloom Period: June to October. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountains" by Carl Schreier and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map |
Colorado Status: Native |
| Scientific Name | Helianthus petiolaris | USDA PLANTS Symbol | HEPE |
| Common Name | Prairie Sunflower | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 36671 |
| Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains to montane (3300 to 9000 ft.); sunny, dry areas and semi-desert. Plant: Erect annual 1-1/2 to over 6 feet tall, often-branched stem with fine hairs. Leaves: Mostly stem leaves, lanceolate to ovate, 1-1/2 to 6 inches long, petiolate, may be dotted with glands, hairy underneath, small teeth along edges. Inflorescence: Single composite flowers 2 to 3 inches across with 10 to 30 yellow rays and 50 to 100+ reddish disk florets in the center. Resembles Common Sunflower (H. annuus) except for the leaves. Bloom Period: June to October. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map |
Colorado Status: Native |
