Wild Sunflower
Helianthus lenticularis

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Helianthus lenticularis is a ANNUAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. 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 moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Roadsides and waste places in rich soils.

N. America - Minnesota to North Dakota, Idaho, Missouri, Texas and California.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Seed - raw or cooked. The seed can be dried and ground into a powder then used with cereal flowers in making breads, cakes and rich soups. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. The roasted shells, after the starch has been removed, or the roasted seeds, can be used in preparing a coffee-like beverage.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

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.

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position. Requires a rich soil. Dislikes shade. The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, plants can be totally destroyed by them. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. Probably no more than the wild form of the cultivated sunflower, H. annuus, it is treated as a sub-species of that by many botanists.

Propagating it: Seed - sow in mid spring in situ. An earlier start can be made by sowing 2 - 3 seeds per pot in a greenhouse in early spring. Use a fairly rich compost. Thin to the strongest seedling, give them an occasional liquid feed to make sure they do not become nutrient deficient and plant them out in late spring or early summer.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness:

Growth:

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

H. annuus lenticularis.