Helianthus longifolius Pursh - Sunflower
Family - Asteraceae
Stems:
Rhizome.
Leaves:
Basal leaves in-situ.
Inflorescence:
N/A
Involucre:
Ray flowers:
Disk flowers:
Flowering - July - November.
Habitat - Sandy soil, rocky glades, sandhill bogs.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This attractive species can be found in the northeastern corner of Alabama. The plant can be identified by its stocky rhizomes, long basal leaves, reddish-purple stems, and multiple flower heads. This species can be found growing wild in just Georgia and Alabama (USA). It is cultivated and escaped elsewhere.
The genus name Helianthus derives from the Greek "helio" meaning "sun" and "anth(us)" meaning "flower."
The species epithet longifolius derives from the Latin "long(i)" meaning "long" and "foli" meaning "a leaf" for the long, thin leaves of this species.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken at Fort Benning, GA., 9-12-05.