ASTER FAMILY 67 
and should also be cultivated in home gardens. The plants are 1-3 ft. 
tall and are found along roadsides and in pastures and fields at 3000- 
7000 ft. The flowers bloom all summer. 
Sun Spots GYMNOLOMIA MULTIFLORA 
Plate 39, fig. 5 
_ The heads of Sun Spots are yellow throughout and bloom all sum- 
mer. The plants are 2-5 ft. tall and grow on prairies and foothills at 
5000-7000 ft. 
SUNFLOWER MHELIANTHUS PETIOLARIS 
Plate 39, fig. 7 
One scarcely needs an introduction to the cheery Sunflower which 
overruns roadsides and fallow fields everywhere at 3000-8000 ft. The 
plants are 2-5 ft. tall and bear flowers all summer. This species is 
the western form of the common sunflower, Helianthus annuus. The 
latter was held in high veneration by the ancient Peruvians and Mex- 
icans, being used by them as a sacred and artistic emblem. It also fig- 
ures in Greek mythology. The farmer of today, however, regards it 
quite otherwise when it invades his cultivated fields. It is, neverthe- 
less, the state flower of Kansas. The name Sunflower was given this 
plant under the impression that the heads turn their faces always 
towards the sun and follow it in its daily course. This is not the case, 
however, for though the heads of a field of sunflowers are usually 
turned in the same direction, this is due to the effect of the prevailing 
wind rather than to sunlight. 
The common sunflower is cultivated for the sake of the honey and 
wax which are obtained from the flowers by the bees, and also for its 
seeds which are used in various ways. They furnish feed for domestic 
and farm animals, or are ground and made into cakes, or roasted and 
used as coffee. In Russia they are sold in the streets and eaten as 
nuts. An oil also is obtained from them that is said to be equal to 
olive oil. 
