COMPOSITE FAMILY COMPOSITAE 
PRAIRIE SUNFLOWER 
Helianthus grosseserratus Martens 
In many places this is our commonest wild sunflower. It grows 
on dry or moist prairies and in other open places from western 
Maine to South Dakota, south through Pennsylvania to Kansas 
and Texas, blooming from Au- 
gust to October. It is perennial 
by fleshy roots and slender un- 
derground stems. 
smooth and usually covered 
with a waxy bloom. The 
branches are usually somewhat 
hairy and the leaves are rough 
above and densely short hairy 
beneath. The lower leaves are 
opposite and sharply toothed, 
whereas the upper are alternate 
and often nearly entire. 
There are usually several 
and sometimes many heads. 
The bracts of the involucre 
have spreading green tips and 
are hairy. The 10-20 rays are 
deep yellow and the disk flow- 
ers are also yellowish. The 
akenes are nearly smooth and the pappus consists of 2 short awns 
which readily fall away. 
The Common Sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., also common on 
prairies, along roadsides and in other open places, is often cultivated. 
Its flowers, blooming from July to September, yield honey and a 
yellow dye, its leaves may be used for fodder, its seeds yield an oil or 
they may be fed to chickens, and its stems contain fibers that may 
be used in making twine. In the wild state it grows 3-10 feet high. 
The lowest leaves may be opposite but most of them are alternate. 
“a 
Pie) 
ry 
The 6-10-foot stem is mostly ~ 
They are broadly ovate, 3-nerved, petioled and toothed. The heads — 
are 3-6 inches broad, the ray flowers being yellow and the disk 
flowers purple or brown. 
My tall sunflowers love the sun, 
Love the burning August noons 
When the locust tunes its viol, 
And the cricket croons. 
Sunflowers—CLINTON SCOLLARD 
368 
