MAXIMILIAN SUNFLOWER
Helianthus maximiliani
SUNFLOWER FAMILY (Asteraceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - September, October
- Common in prairies at NW
- Toothless, sickle-shaped leaves that are folded along the midrib
- Fine hairs on stem
- Light colored central disk
This native perennial with erect stems either single or in clumps, usually grows from 3 to 6 feet tall, occasionally up to 9 feet. Upper stems are covered with fine whitish hairs giving them a gray-greenish look (C). Narrow, alternate leaves 3-8 inches long and 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches wide, are sickle-shaped, arch gently downward, and are folded along the midrib into a shallow “Vee” (B,C). Few to numerous flower heads 2-3 inches wide arise from the junction of the leaf and stem. From 10-25 yellow, petal-like ray florets surround the seed-producing, yellow disk florets (A).
Grows on diverse prairie sites, roadsides and ditches. It is one of our last prairie plants to bloom, flowering in September and October. It is common in many of the Neale Woods prairies.
The characteristically folded, sickle-shaped leaves differentiate Maximilian’s from our other sunflowers except for the rare Sawtooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus) which, unlike Maximilian’s Sunflower, has a smooth, hairless stem and toothed leaves on short stalks. The light colored disk further separates it from Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and most Stiff Sunflowers (Helianthus pauciflorus) which have dark central disks.
Named for German Prince Maximilian von Wied-Neuwied, who first collected and described this sunflower. He visited the Indian Agency post, just inside the south border of present day Fontenelle Forest, during his trip up and down the Missouri River in 1833/34.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Neal Ratzlaff.