Common Sunflower

Sunflower Family : Asteraceae

Latin Name : Helianthus annuus

Longevity : Annual
Season : Warm
Origin : Native
Value : Wildlife – good (seed)
Livestock - fair

Remarks :

The State flower of Kansas. Flowers July to September.
When actively growing, the flowers and leaves tend to
follow the sun as it traverses the sky. Adapted to clay
or heavy sands in fields, abandoned areas, pastures, and
along fence rows and ditches. This is a most useful plant,
formerly being of great use to the American Indian for
medicines, as a source of fiber and cordage, and as a
highly nutritious food. Nearly all parts of the plant can
be utilized. The seeds can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted,
or dried and ground for use in bread or cakes. Oil can be
extracted and used for cooking and soap making. Yellow
dyes have been made from the flowers and black dyes
from the seeds. The seeds are readily sought by several
species of wild birds. Some grazing to livestock during
the early stages of growth.

Source: USDA-NRCS