HAIRY SUNFLOWER
Helianthus hirsutus
SUNFLOWER FAMILY (Asteraceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - July, August, September
- Common in uplands at FF & NW
- Often found in colonies along upland trails
- Only a few (1-4) flowers at tip of stem
- Mostly opposite leaves with wingless stalks (see photo F)
This native perennial has rough-hairy stems from 2 to 6 feet tall. Plants spread via creeping underground stems (rhizomes) often forming large colonies along upland trails (C,D). The mostly opposite leaves are oval to lance shaped with shallow teeth (E). Leaf blades end abruptly where they join the stalk with no tapering along the the sides (F). Like the stem, the upper surface of the leaf is covered with rough hairs. Often there is just a single flower head at the top of a simple stem, but plants with sparse branching and several flowers also occur. Flower heads are 2-3 inches across with 10-15 yellow, petal-like ray florets surrounding the fertile, seed producing yellow central disk florets (A,B).
Found in dry, open upland woods and woodland edges, flowering from July through September. Common in the uplands at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. Look for it along upland trails and sunny woodland openings or edges where it often grows in large colonies.
Hairy Sunflower is often confused with Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) which flowers at the same time. Although they may sometimes be found next to each other in the drier uplands, Hairy Sunflower is most likely here. Hairy Sunflower generally is less robust and unbranched with only a few (1 to 4) flowers at the top of the stem. Also, look closely at the leaf blades which end abruptly where they join the stalk with no tapering along the the sides as one usually sees with Jerusalem Artichoke.
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