Stiff Sunflower, Prairie Sunflower
Helianthus pauciflorus

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

Perennial sunflowers have protein and oil-rich seeds. Perennial crops are being developed for their oil-seed. The Land Institute see them as part of a perennial polyculture system. Several perennial sunflowers are being worked with including prairie natives handling boreal to warm temperate semi-arid conditions: Helianthus maximliani (Maximilian sunflower), Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke), Helianthus pauciflorus (Stiff sunflower). Less tolerant of boreal conditions but good on poor soils is Helianthus cusickii ( Cusick's sunflower).

Helianthus pauciflorus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Dry to moderately wet prairies and open areas. Subspecies Helianthus pauciflorus subsp. subrhomboideus occurs in dry, open habitats.

North American. Widespread across the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Lakes region. Naturalized in the eastern United States and in much of southern Canada (from Alberta to Nova Scotia).

Conservation Status: Status: Least Concern

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta); United States (Wyoming, Wisconsin, Vermont, Texas, South Dakota, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, North Dakota, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, Illinois, Georgia, Connecticut, Colorado, Arkansas, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire).

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: protein-oil (The term staple crop typically refers to a food that is eaten routinely and accounts for a dominant part of people's diets in a particular region of the world). Perennial crops are being developed for their oil-seed. The Land Institute see them as part of a perennial polyculture system.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 1

Drought-tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping. Attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Under Development: Plant breeders are actively working to domesticate these plants for cultivation, but they are not yet commercially available as crops. Examples include most of the perennial cereal grains.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Under Development: Plant breeders are actively working to domesticate these plants for cultivation, but they are not yet commercially available as crops. Examples include most of the perennial cereal grains.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Climate: boreal to warm temperate. Humidity: semi-arid to humid. Soil pH: 6.1 (mildly acidic) to 7.8 (mildly alkaline). Prefers full sun and mesic to dry conditions. Soil can contain significant amounts of loam, clay loam, sand, or gravelly material. Easy to grow. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: under development. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation). Perennial crops are being developed for their oil-seed. The Land Institute see them as part of a perennial polyculture system. Several perennial sunflowers are being worked with including prairie natives handling boreal to warm temperate semi-arid conditions: Helianthus maximliani (Maximilian sunflower), Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke), Helianthus pauciflorus (Stiff sunflower). Less tolerant of boreal conditions but good on poor soils is Helianthus cusickii ( Cusick's sunflower).

Propagating it: An easy plant to grow. Division. Herbaceous stem cuttings. Seed; direct sow outdoors in autumn. Self-sows freely.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Can spread and become very aggressive.

Its other names

Local names

Helianthus Species, Prairie Sunflower, Showy Sunflower, Stiff Sunflower.

Synonyms

Harpalium rigidum Cass. [Invalid]. Helianthus × laetiflorus var. rigidus (Cass.) Fernald. Helianthus laetiflorus var. rigidus (Cass.) Fernald. Helianthus pauciflorus var. pauciflorus. Helianthus pauciflorus subsp. pauciflorus. Helianthus rigidus (Cass.) Desf. Helianthus rigidus subsp. rigidus. Helianthus rigidus var. rigidus