Helianthus divaricatus L.

Woodland Sunflower; Spreading Sunflower

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Woodland Sunflower is a native perennial in the Aster family (Asteraceae). It can be found throughout most of Alabama. Woodland Sunflower occurs in dry woods, along fence rows, and on roadsides. It is a perennial with long, thin, creeping rhizomes. Stems are from 2-6 feet in height. The stems are unbranched below the area where the flower heads are produced. The stem is round, glabrous, and often glaucous. In the area just below the heads, the stem is pubescent Leaves are opposite and sessile or with very short petioles. The leaves are lanceolate or lance-ovate in outline with entire to serrate margins. The base of the leaves is rounded or cordate. There are three main veins from the base of the leaf. Flowers are produced in terminal heads. Both the ray and disc flowers are yellow. The fruit is an achene. Woodland Sunflower is similar to Stiff Hair Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus Rafinesque). Stiff Hair Sunflower usually has pubescent stems, longer petioles, and larger heads than Woodland Sunflower. Woodland Sunflower also is among the first Sunflowers to flower, about 1-2 weeks before other species. Woodland Sunflower is often available from wildflower nurseries as seed or plants. It is drought tolerant, but can be aggressive in the garden. Plant it in an area where it can naturalize or use a root barrier to prevent the rhizomes from spreading too much. You can use an old plastic pot with the bottom removed. Leave the top 1-2 inches of the pot above the soil surface and plant the Woodland Sunflower in it.--A. Diamond

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Native G5 (Global Rank)

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