Common Sunflower

Description:

Also Called: Kansas sunflower, mirasol. Flowering Period: June, July, August, September Family: Aster / Sunflower ( Asteraceae / Compositae ) Height: up to 11' Life Span: Annual Stems: Straight, hairy, dark red-splotched stem. Leaves: Hairy and rough. Leaves on the lower part of plant can be up to 10" long and mostly toothed and leaves on upper parts are nearly entire. Flowers: Bright yellow ray flowers, brown to black disk flowers, and pointed bracts. Fruits: Achenes, compressed, 1/8 to 3/5 inch long, glabrous or pubescent; pappus of 2 principal awns, sometimes small, secondary scales present.

Habitat:

Commonly found along roadsides, open hillsides, prairie slopes, in fields, and vacant lots.