Helianthus microcephalus Torrey & A. Gray. Common name: Small-headed Sunflower, Small Wood Sunflower. Phenology: Jul-Oct. Habitat: Dry woodlands and roadbanks. Distribution: PA west to MI, south to Panhandle FL and se. LA.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, F, Fl7, FNA21, G, Il, K4, Mi, NE, Oh3, Pa, RAB, S, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV; < Helianthus microcephalus Torr. & A.Gray — C, SE1; Helianthus microcephalus Torr. & A.Gray. Basionym: Helianthus microcephalus Torr. & A.Gray 1842
Links to other floras: = Helianthus microcephalus - FNA21
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Great Plains: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect, rhizomatous perennial of dry woodlands, forests, barrens, clearings, and road banks.
Stems: Stems branched above, dark greenish-purple, often with a whitish coating, and smooth.
Leaves: Leaves mostly opposite, long-petiolate, lance-shaped, 3-6 in. long, 3-veined, toothed but entire near the base, thin, rough-hairy above, resin-dotted and usually short-hairy beneath.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) numerous on long slender stalks; heads 1-1 1/2 in. wide, consisting of 5-8 yellow ray florets encircling a center disk of darker yellow, tubular florets. Overlapping, green, pointed bracts surround the base of each head.
Fruits: Fruit a dark brown to blackish achene.
Comments:
Height: 2-6 1/2 ft. (occasionally taller)
plant sale text: This sunflower grows in well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It will form small colonies, so plant it in a place where you have room for it to spread. Attracts pollinators, butterflies and birds.
bloom table text:
description: Erect, rhizomatous perennial of dry woodlands, forests, barrens, clearings, and road banks.
stems: Stems branched above, dark greenish-purple, often with a whitish coating, and smooth.
leaves: Leaves mostly opposite, long-petiolate, lance-shaped, 3-6 in. long, 3-veined, toothed but entire near the base, thin, rough-hairy above, resin-dotted and usually short-hairy beneath.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) numerous on long slender stalks; heads 1-1 1/2 in. wide, consisting of 5-8 yellow ray florets encircling a center disk of darker yellow, tubular florets. Overlapping, green, pointed bracts surround the base of each head.
fruits: Fruit a dark brown to blackish achene.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern United States
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