Helianthus giganteus
Giant sunflower, Tall sunflower Taxonomy
Synonyms: Subspecific taxa: Classification:
Other taxonomic & nomenclature sources: USDA Plants;  ITIS;  The Plant List;  IPNI Species Distribution
If map does not appear refresh browser ![]() Click map to view & download detailed occurrence records
County Map Legend
Absent: Not known from county Medium confidence: Medium or unknown confidence; often old records or unverifiable observations Medium-high confidence: Often observations by expert botanists High confidence: Often vouchered herbarium records Planted / introduced: Native species introduced outside historic range, or only in planted locations within county (e.g., restorations) Historic / extirpated: Only historic records for the species; likely extirpated (Note that this category is not yet functional) North American distribution maps for this species: FLNA;  USDA Plants;  BONAP;  BISON
Collections, Observations & Flowering by Month [?]
J
0 F
0 M
0 A
0 M
0 J
0 J
0 A
0 S
0 O
0 N
0 D
0
Collections & Observations by Decade [?]
Species Status
Status/Listing: State Endangered Notes: Origin: Native
Species Description
General: Dicot-herb, perennial Roots: adventitious, rhizomes Shoots: alternate, opposite leaf arrangment; simple leaf type; serrate leaf margin; Pinnate leaf venation; oblong leaf shape Inflorescence: head Flowers: perfect; 5 merous; complete, regular, irregular; yellow; epigynous ovary position Fruit: achene Physiology: autotrophic; C3 C02 fixation Reproduction: sexual, vegetative
Ecology & Natural History
Habitat: sand deposits. In N. Illinois, possibly in decadent tamarack bogs, calcareous fens. ILPIN Notes: Possible use as breadstuffs, oil source, soup, & coffee substitute. disk flowers perfect & fertile; ray florets sterile. heads radiate; lower leaves opposite; disk & rays are yellow. Versus its closest relatives, H. grosseserratus & H. nuttallii, this species has: 1-nearly sessile leaves; 2-hairy stems; 3-preponderance in wet habitats. Rogers et al. Functional Relationships:
Human Relationships:
Wildlife and Livestock Information:
Coefficient of Conservatism (C-value) [?] :
Post a Comment or Question About this Plant
Note: All submissions are moderated and only some are posted. Posted comments may be edited for length.
An email address will not be posted, but it is required for communication with the site moderator.
Comments focused outside of Illinois and neighboring states may be posted, but more attention will be given to Illinois centered information.
Thanks for your interest.
|