Giant sunflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Giant sunflower |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Helianthus
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| Species: |
giganteus
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The giant sunflower, also known as the tall sunflower, is a special kind of sunflower. Its scientific name is Helianthus giganteus. This amazing plant grows naturally in many parts of eastern United States and central and eastern Canada. You can find it from Newfoundland all the way west to Alberta, and south to states like Minnesota, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
About the Giant Sunflower
The giant sunflower is a very tall plant! It can grow up to 4 to 5 meters high. That's over 13 feet, which is taller than a basketball hoop! It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also a herbaceous plant, which means it has soft, green stems, not woody ones like trees.
What It Looks Like
The giant sunflower has long, thin leaves. They are shaped like a spear, which is called lanceolate. Its flower heads are a bright, sunny yellow. Each flower head can be up to 7 centimeters (about 2.8 inches) wide. Imagine a big, bright yellow flower looking like the sun!
Where It Grows
These tall sunflowers love wet places. You can often find them in valleys where the ground is moist. They grow well in wet meadows or swampy areas. They also like to be near river banks, where there's plenty of water. So, if you're exploring these areas, keep an eye out for these towering yellow beauties!
