Maximilian Sunflower
Helianthus maximiliani
Summary 6
Helianthus maximiliani is a North American species of sunflower known by the common name Maximilian sunflower.
Description 6
A branching perennial herb, growing from a stout rhizome and reaches heights from 0.5–3.0 m (2–10 ft). The slender, tall, erect stems and alternately-arranged leaves are covered in rough hairs.
The lance-shaped leaves are narrow, pointed, folded down the midvein, and up to 30 cm (12 in) long on large plants.
The flower heads are surrounded at the base by pointed green phyllaries which often stick straight out and curl at the tips. The center is filled with yellow tipped brown disc florets and the circumference is lined with bright yellow ray florets 2–4 cm (1–1+1⁄2 in) long.
The plant reproduces by seed and by vegetative sprouting from the rhizome.
Ecology/Wildlife Use 6
The flower heads are attractive to insects and the fruits are eaten by birds.[citation needed] Livestock eat portions of the plant, and the seeds are eaten by various wildlife.
Read More 7
- https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=261947
- http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/mx_sunflowerx.htm
- https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEMA2
Sources and Credits
- (c) USFWS Mountain-Prairie, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helianthus_maximiliani_(8206393964).jpg
- (c) Cullen Hanks, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Cullen Hanks
- USDA, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helianthus_maximiliani_-_Texas_county_ok_deer_and_maximilians.jpg
- (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helianthus_maximiliani_(5020306109).jpg
- (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helianthus_maximiliani_(5020916762).jpg
- Adapted by Murfreesboro,TN, Natural Resource Division from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helianthus_maximiliani
- (c) Murfreesboro,TN, Natural Resource Division, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
- iNat taxon page
- Biodiversity Heritage Library
- BOLD Systems BIN search
- Calflora
- CalPhotos
- eFloras.org
- Flora of North America (beta)
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- Go Botany
- HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
- IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
- Jepson eFlora
- Maryland Biodiversity Project
- NatureServe Explorer 2.0
- SEINet Symbiota portals
- Tropicos
- USDA PLANTS database
- VASCAN by Canadensys
- World Flora Online
iNat Map
| Form | Forb/herb |
|---|---|
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil moisture | Dry, Medium |
| Site | Disturbed areas, Glade, Meadow, Savanna |
| Bloom period | August, September |
| Bloom color | Brown, Yellow |
| Fruit/seeds/etc. | Other |
| Wildlife supported | Birds - songbirds, Birds - other, Insects - larval host, Insects - pollinators, Mammals - small |
| Family | Sunflower Family |
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