SUNFLOWER. 251 



SUNFLOWER. 



(HELIANTHUS MULTIFLORUS.) 



This is a deciduous herbaceous plant, a native of this 

 country, as well as of South America ; perennial in duration, 

 and quite ornamental in appearance, bearing yellow double 

 flowers from July to October, growing about five feet high. 

 The leaves are three nerved, scabious, the lower cordate, upper 

 ovate, bearing numerous flowers at the ends of the shoots. 

 In its pristine state the flowers are single ; cultivation has 

 made them double. It should be divided at the root, either 

 in the spring or fall ; the latter is preferable, and should be 

 planted into a different place in the garden, for if allowed 

 to remain in one place, and not divided, it will return to 

 its primitive state, which would detract that beauty so 

 desirable. 



The Helianthus is certainly a showy flower, not much 

 unlike or inferior to the yellow Dahlia, to which, at a dis- 

 tance, it bears some resemblance. The sun has some 

 influence on the flowers, as they will be found to turn with 

 it ; the flower at twelve o'clock mid-day will face the south. 



There is an annual variety, both single and double, with 

 noble flowers, very large, and more suitable for the culture 

 of the oil. with which the seeds abound. The seeds are 

 useful for various purposes, and if raised on a large scale 

 could be used to advantage even for the use of cattle or 

 poultry. 



The H. multiflorus is decidedly the best variety for the 

 flower garden, and will grow in any soil. When raised to 



