Maximilian sunflower (Nash Prairie Plants List)

Maximilian sunflower

Helianthus maximiliani

Summary ⁶

Helianthus maximiliani is a North American species of sunflower known by the common name Maximilian sunflower.

Description ⁷

This adventive perennial plant is 3-8' tall and largely unbranched, except where the flowers occur. The central stem is stout, round, light green to light red, and densely covered with short white hairs. The leaves occur alternately along the central stem, except for some of the lower leaves, which may occur oppositely from each other. These leaves are up to 12" long and 2" across. They are sessile against the stem, and narrowly lanceolate. Their upper and lower surfaces are light green and covered with fine white hairs. The margins of the leaves are smooth, or they may have widely spaced small teeth. Furthermore, the typical leaf folds upward from the central vein, and curls downward from the stem on account of its length. From the axils of the upper leaves, there are short flowering stalks. Each of these stalks is more or less erect, bearing a single composite flower and possibly 1 or 2 leaves. Each composite flower is about 2–3½" across. There are 20-40 yellow ray florets, which surround numerous disk florets. Behind each composite flower, there are green bracts that are lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate; they are covered with fine white hairs as well. The blooming period is late summer to fall and lasts about 1 month. The achenes are linear-oblong with a pair of awns on top. They are blown about by the wind, or distributed by animals. The root system consists of fleshy, fibrous roots and rhizomes. Like other perennial sunflowers, this plant can form vegetative colonies.

Sources and Credits

(c) Judith Ellen Lopez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://picasaweb.google.com/112692329998402018828/2012_FallArcadiaTrailParkParkGlenFortWorthTX#5812696367557511922
(c) Colin Murray, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Colin Murray
(c) Roberto R. Calderón, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Roberto R. Calderón
(c) Conor McMahon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Conor McMahon
(c) Ingrid P. Lin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/services/media.php?env=botany&irn=10325031
Adapted by Amber Leung from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helianthus_maximiliani
(c) John Hilty, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/29442050

More Info

iNat Map

Family	Asteraceae

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