Southeastern sunflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southeastern sunflower |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Helianthus |
| Species: |
H. agrestis
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| Binomial name | |
| Helianthus agrestis Pollard
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The southeastern sunflower (Helianthus agrestis) is a special kind of sunflower. It is one of about 150 different types of sunflowers in the Helianthus family. You can only find this plant growing naturally in the states of Florida and Georgia in the southeastern United States. It loves wet places like marshes and pine forests that are not very high above sea level.
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What Does the Southeastern Sunflower Look Like?
Helianthus agrestis plants can grow up to one meter tall, which is about three feet! This flowering plant has bright orange-yellow petals, called "rays." Each plant can have about 10 to 15 of these bright rays. It also has up to 50 tiny flowers in the center, called "disc florets." These bright colors help attract many pollinators, like bees.
The leaves of this sunflower are shaped like ovals. They grow in an alternating pattern along the stem. The stem itself has branches and is a bit hairy.
How Does the Southeastern Sunflower Grow?
The southeastern sunflower is an annual plant. This means it lives for only one growing season. It blooms, or flowers, in the late summer and early fall. Like all sunflowers, Helianthus agrestis needs a lot of sunshine to grow well. For the best growth, it should get at least six hours of full sun every day.
Where Does the Southeastern Sunflower Live?
This plant is native to Florida, meaning it has always grown there naturally. It is also found in a specific area of Georgia called Thomasville. It prefers wet soil in places like marshes and pine flatwoods. These areas are usually less than 50 meters (about 170 feet) above sea level.
Why is the Southeastern Sunflower Important?
People find Helianthus agrestis beautiful. They use it for decoration and in some cosmetic products. In nature, birds and small mammals enjoy eating the seeds of the southeastern sunflower. Bees are the main pollinators for this plant, helping it to make new seeds.
