Phone toll-free 800-291-2143

Asteraceae Family - "Maximilian Sunflower"

Helianthus is from the Greek word helios meaning "sun" and anthos for "flower". Maximilianii named after Prinz Maximilian van Wied-Neu, discoverer of this plant.

Found commonly throughout the Tallgrass region on rich prairies and in havy soils. Deeply yellow flowers 2 to 3 inches across bloom from July to October. Grows from 3 to 8 feet tall. The rough gray-green leaves can be as long as 7 - 8 inches and are the easiest means of identifying this plant. They are very rough on both sides and are distinctly trough-shaped typically curving downward.

A very attractive and showy plant, it has been cultivated for garden use in some areas. The seeds of the sunflowers have been used as food by both man and animals. An oil can be extracted from the seeds and can be used for cooking or making soap. Often, the fibers from the coarse stalks of the sunflower have been used for textiles.

Natural hybridization occurs between the numerous species, often with very pleasing and interesting results.