Helianthus atrorubens Linnaeus. Common name: Appalachian Sunflower. Phenology: Late Jul-Oct. Habitat: Dry soils of rocky, sandy, or clayey woodlands and roadbanks. Distribution: N. VA west to w. TN, and south to c. GA, Panhandle FL, AL, and se. LA.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Other Comments: Related to the Ozarkian H. silphioides Nuttall.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Fl7, FNA21, K4, RAB, SE1, Tn, Va, W, WH3; = Helianthus atrorubens L. var. atrorubens — G; < Helianthus atrorubens L. — S; > Helianthus atrorubens L. var. alsodes Fernald — F; > Helianthus atrorubens L. var. atrorubens — F; Helianthus atrorubens L. Basionym: Helianthus atrorubens L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Helianthus atrorubens - FNA21
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Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: helianthus atrorubens, tallulah gorge state park, rabun county, georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect, rhizomatous perennial found in dry soils of rocky, sandy or clayey woodlands, pine savannas and road banks.
Stems: Stems simple to few-branched, rough-hairy near the base and with softer hairs toward the tip.
Leaves: Leaves mostly basal or on lower stems, opposite, on broadly winged petioles, oval to diamond-shaped, 2-8 in. long, toothed or scalloped and rough; middle to upper stem leaves similar but fewer and smaller.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in small clusters; heads to 3 in. wide, consisting of 10-15 yellow ray florets encircling a center disk of dark purple tubular florets; overlapping oval or oblong bracts surround the base of each head.
Fruits: Fruit a dark brown, sparsely bristled, narrowly oval achene.
Comments:
Height: 2 1/2-6 1/2 ft.
plant sale text: This Southeast native sunflower may not boast the large heads and seeds of more familiar cultivated sunflowers, but it is a tough perennial with a cheerful disposition. Commonly found in dry woodlands and growing on roadbanks, this plant is tolerant of dauntingly dry sandy, rocky, or clay soil conditions once established. This plant will be quite at home in a meadow garden or roadside planting and is also a nice plant for beds and borders. The seeds of sunflowers are a great food source for birds.
bloom table text:
description: Erect, rhizomatous perennial found in dry soils of rocky, sandy or clayey woodlands, pine savannas and road banks.
stems: Stems simple to few-branched, rough-hairy near the base and with softer hairs toward the tip.
leaves: Leaves mostly basal or on lower stems, opposite, on broadly winged petioles, oval to diamond-shaped, 2-8 in. long, toothed or scalloped and rough; middle to upper stem leaves similar but fewer and smaller.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in small clusters; heads to 3 in. wide, consisting of 10-15 yellow ray florets encircling a center disk of dark purple tubular florets; overlapping oval or oblong bracts surround the base of each head.
fruits: Fruit a dark brown, sparsely bristled, narrowly oval achene.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: southeastern United States
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