Helianthus annuus

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Compositae

Genus

Helianthus

Life cycle

annual

Growth rate

vigorous

Height

3 m

Spread

0.3 m

Fertility

Self sterile, Bees, Flies

Flower type

hermaphrodite

Pollinators

Bees, Flies

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - raw or cooked^{[24][6][33][3][10]}. A delicious nut-like flavour, but very fiddly to extract due to the small size of the seed. Commercially there are machines designed to do this. Rich in fats, the seed can be ground into a powder^[34], made into sunflower butter or used to make seed yoghurt. When mixed with cereal flours, it makes a nutritious bread^[20]. Cultivars with up to 50% oil have been developed in Russia^[16]. The oil contains between 44 - 72% linoleic acid^[16]. The germinated seed is said to be best for seed yoghurt, it is blended with water and left to ferment^[10]. The sprouted seed can be eaten raw^[10]. A nutritional analysis of the seed is available^[16]. Young flower buds - steamed and served like globe artichokes^{[11][31][3][5][10]}. A mild and pleasant enough flavour, but rather fiddly[K]. Average yields range from 900 - 1,575 kg/ha of seed, however yields of over 3,375 kg/ha have been reported^[22]. A high quality edible semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed^[24]. It is low in cholesterol^[20], and is said to be equal in quality to olive oil^[24]. Used in salads, margarines, or in cooking^{[11][23][25][26][33][34][10][22]}. The roasted seed is a coffee and drinking chocolate substitute^{[24][29][2][4]}. Another report says the roasted hulls are used^[10]. The leaf petioles are boiled and mixed in with other foodstuffs^[29].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A tea made from the leaves is astringent, diuretic and expectorant, it is used in the treatment of high fevers^[17]. The crushed leaves are used as a poultice on sores, swellings, snakebites and spider bites^[17][21]. The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use^[19]. A tea made from the flowers is used in the treatment of malaria and lung ailments^[17][21]. The flowering head and seeds are febrifuge, nutritive and stomachic^[29]. The seed is also considered to be diuretic and expectorant^[24][16][17]. It has been used with success in the treatment of many pulmonary complaints^[24]. A decoction of the roots has been used as a warm wash on rheumatic aches and pains^[21].

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An edible semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed. Some varieties contain up to 45% oil^[28]. The oil is also used, often mixed with a drying oil such as linseed (Linum usitatissimum) to make soap, candles, varnishes, paint etc, as well as for lighting. The oil is said to be unrivalled as a lubricant^{[24][15][23][25][2][22]}. A blotting paper is made from the seed receptacles^{[11][24][3][5]}. A high quality writing paper is made from the inner stalk^{[24][6][2][3]}. The pith of the stems is one of the lightest substances known, having a specific gravity of 0.028^[24]. It has a wide range of applications, being used for purposes such as making life-saving appliances and slides for microscopes^[24][25][28]. The dried stems make an excellent fuel, the ash is rich in potassium^[24]. Both the dried stems and the empty seed receptacles are an excellent kindling^[24]. A fibre from the stem is used to make paper^[24] and a fine quality cloth^[1][33][3]. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers^{[24][6][33][34]}. A purple-black dye is obtained from the seed of certain varieties that were grown by the Hopi Indians of S.W. North America^[5][8]. Sunflowers can be grown as a spring-sown green manure, they produce a good bulk of material^[32]. Root secretions from the plant can inhibit the growth of nearby plants^[14].

Environment

Range

Western N. America. An occasional garden escape in Britain.

Habitat

Open dry or moderately moist soils on the plains^[27].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

light shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 7+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Drainage

well drained

Tolerances

drought

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

No

Drought

tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils^[1][23][5], including poor soils provided they are deep and well-drained^[22], but it grows best in a deep rich soil^[1][13]. Plants are intolerant of acid or waterlogged conditions^[22]. Especially when grown for its edible seed, the plant prefers a sunny position^{[1][23][5][22]} though it also tolerates light shade^[1]. Requires a neutral or preferably calcareous soil^[13]. As sunflowers have highly efficient root systems, they can be grown in areas which are too dry for many other crops^[22]. Established plants are quite drought-resistant except during flowering^[5][22]. The sunflower tolerates an annual precipitation of 20 - 400cm, an average annual temperature in the range of 6 - 28°C and a pH in the range of 4.5 - 8.7^[22]. The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, plants can be totally destroyed by them[K]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits^[18]. The sunflower is a very ornamental plant that is widely grown in gardens and is also a major commercial crop for its edible seed and many other uses^[1][24]. It grows well in Britain, but it does not ripen its seed reliably in this country and so is not suitable for commercial cultivation at the present[K]. It is the state flower of Kansas^[31]. Three distinct groups of sunflowers are cultivated:- Giant types grow from 1.8 - 4.2 metres tall with flower heads 30 - 50cm in diameter. The seeds are large, white or gray in colour, sometimes with black stripes, and are the best for culinary purposes, though the oil content is lower than for other types. 'Grey Stripe', 'Hopi Black Dye', 'Mammoth Russian' and 'Sundak' are examples of this type^[10][13][22]. Semi-dwarf types grow from 1.3 - 1.8 m tall, are early maturing and have heads 17 - 23 cm diameter. The seeds are smaller, black, gray or striped, the oil content is also higher. Examples include 'Pole Star' and 'Jupiter' Dwarf types grow from 0.6 - 1.4 m tall, are early maturing and have heads 14 - 16 cm in diameter[269. The seeds are small but the oil content is the highest. Examples include 'Advance' and 'Sunset'^[22]. Some forms are being bred for greater cold tolerance and should be more reliable in Britain^[5][7]. Plants tend to grow better in the south and south-west of England^[24]. Most forms require a four month frost-free growing season^[5], though some Russian cultivars can mature a crop in 70 days^[22]. When plants are grown in cooler latitudes the seed contains higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty oils^[5]. The plant has a strong taproot that can penetrate the soil to depth of 3 metres, it also has a large lateral spread of surface roots^[22]. Sunflowers grow badly with potatoes but they do well with cucumbers and corn^[9][12][14]. A very greedy and vigorous plant, it can inhibit the growth of nearby plants^[12]. Plants tend to impoverish the soil if they are grown too often in the same place^[5]. A good bee plant, providing large quantities of nectar^[9][23][20]. The flowers attract beneficial insects such as lacewings and parasitic wasps^[19]. These prey on various insect pests, especially aphis^[19].

Related plants

• Helianthus doronicoides
• Helianthus giganteusGiant Sunflower
• Helianthus laetiflorusShowy Sunflower
• Helianthus lenticularisWild Sunflower

References

1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

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3. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

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4. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

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5. Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. 1984-00-00 ISBN 0802707699

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6. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

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7. Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820

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8. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

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9. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

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10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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11. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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12. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

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13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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14. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

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15. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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16. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

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17. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

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18. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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19. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

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20. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

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21. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

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22. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00

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23. Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00

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24. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

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25. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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26. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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27. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

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28. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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29. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

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30. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

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31. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

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32. Woodward. L. Burge. P. Green Manures. Elm Farm Research Centre. 1982-00-00

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33. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

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34. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

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