Helianthus nuttallii subsp. parishii facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Helianthus nuttallii subsp. parishii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Helianthus
Species:	H. nuttallii
Subspecies:	H. n. subsp. parishii
Trinomial name
Helianthus nuttallii subsp. parishii (A.Gray) Heiser

The Los Angeles sunflower or Parish's sunflower (scientific name: Helianthus nuttallii subsp. parishii) is a special type of sunflower. It's a subspecies, which means it's a specific group within the larger Helianthus nuttallii species. This plant belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes many daisy-like flowers. Sadly, no one has seen this particular sunflower in the wild or in gardens since 1937. It might even be extinct.

What Did the Los Angeles Sunflower Look Like?

• Stems: The stems of this sunflower could be smooth or covered in fine, soft hairs, almost like fur.
• Leaves: Its leaves grew in an alternating pattern along the stem. The top side of the leaves felt rough and hairy, while the bottom side was usually covered in soft, fine hairs.
• Flowers: The plant produced groups of flowers, either in a round shape or a flat-topped cluster. The stalks holding the flowers and the small leaf-like parts around the flower head were very hairy. These sunflowers bloomed from August to October.
  • Petal-like Flowers: Each flower head had about 12 to 21 bright yellow, petal-like flowers around the edge. These "ray florets" were about 15 to 25 millimeters long.
  • Center Flowers: The tiny flowers in the center of the sunflower head, called "disc florets," had yellow parts that were about 5 to 7 millimeters long.
• Seeds: The fruits (which are actually seeds) were about 3 to 4 millimeters long. They had small, scale-like structures on top, also about 3 to 4 millimeters long.

Where Did It Live?

This sunflower used to grow in marshy (swampy) areas. It was found in places less than 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) above sea level. Its home was in central western and southwestern California.

What's in a Name?

The scientific name of a plant often tells us something interesting about it.

• Helianthus: This part of the name comes from ancient Greek words. 'Heli' means 'sun,' and 'anthus' means 'flower.' So, Helianthus literally means 'sun-flower.' Many sunflowers are famous for turning their heads to follow the sun across the sky.
• Nuttallii: This part of the name honors Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859). He was a person who grew American plants in England.
• Parishii: This part of the name is for Samuel Bonsall Parish and William Fletcher Parish. They were botanists, or plant scientists, who studied plants in California.