Helianthus schweinitzii Torrey & A. Gray. Common name: Schweinitz's Sunflower. Phenology: Late Aug-Oct. Habitat: Clayey soils of woodlands and roadsides, in areas formerly with post oak-blackjack oak savannas, xeric oak-pine woodlands, or "Piedmont prairies", now primarily on mowed road or powerline rights-of-way. Distribution: Piedmont of nw. NC and nc. SC, primarily within 100 km of Charlotte, NC
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Other Comments: Some earlier reports (as in Heiser et al. 1969) of occurrences in se. NC, e. SC, and c. SC are based on misidentifications. See Matthews, Barden, & Matthews (1997) and Grubbs & Wynes (2015) for informative discussions about this species.
Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA21, K4, RAB, S, SE1. Basionym: Helianthus schweinitzii Torr. & A.Gray 1842
Links to other floras: = Helianthus schweinitzii - FNA21
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Heliophily ⓘ: 9
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Schweinitz sunflower is a tall perennial plant that blooms in late fall. Compared to many of the native sunflowers of eastern North America, Schweinitz sunflower has small inflorescences. It is found growing in old pastures, roadsides, power line clearings, and other sunny locations, usually in poor or rocky soils. Formerly, it probably occurred in prairie-like habitats maintained by fires set by lightning and Native Americans. Loss of this open habitat to fire suppression and development has resulted in the decline of this plant. Restricted to marginal and vulnerable sites, it is now an endangered species.
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description: Schweinitz sunflower is a tall perennial plant that blooms in late fall. Compared to many of the native sunflowers of eastern North America, Schweinitz sunflower has small inflorescences. It is found growing in old pastures, roadsides, power line clearings, and other sunny locations, usually in poor or rocky soils. Formerly, it probably occurred in prairie-like habitats maintained by fires set by lightning and Native Americans. Loss of this open habitat to fire suppression and development has resulted in the decline of this plant. Restricted to marginal and vulnerable sites, it is now an endangered species.
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native range: North Carolina & South Carolina
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