This native perennial has rough-hairy stems from 2 to 6 feet tall. The leaves are mostly opposite, with an occasional alternate one above. They are oval to lance shaped with shallow teeth and are from 3 to 7 inches long by 1/2 to 2 inches wide (A,C). 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 (C). Flower heads are 2-3 inches across with 10-15 yellow, petal-like ray florets surrounding a flat, yellow central disk (B).
Found in dry, open upland woods and woodland edges, flowering from July through September. In Fontenelle Forest, it is common along Camp Gifford Road. At Neale Woods, Hairy Sunflower is common at woodland/prairie edges along Nebraska Trail.
Hairy Sunflower is often confused with Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) which flowers at the same time. Unlike Jerusalem Artichoke, Hairy Sunflower is found in drier upland sites and is less robust and unbranched or sparsely branched with only 1 to a few flower heads.
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