Helianthus divaricatus L.
Woodland sunflower
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Asteridae A large class that encompasses asters
Order Asterales Flowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
Family Asteraceae The aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
Genus Helianthus From Greek helios, “sun,” and anthos, “flower,” because it was believed that sunflowers turn to follow the sun
Species divaricatus Latin for “divergent, spreading”
About plant names...
Woodland sunflowers are native to North America, a common sight in woodlands
that are sparse enough to let in partial sunlight.
Identification: Plants are 2-6′ (60-182 cm) high. Bright
yellow flowers with 8-15 petals and darker yellow centers, up to 2″ (5 cm) across, sit atop long thin stems.
Leaves are long and usually narrow, wider at the
base, tapering to sharp tips, 3-8″ (7.6-20 cm) long. The rough stiff leaves feel almost sandpapery above, and
hairy below. Stems are smooth, purple or green.
These sunflowers spread via their root systems,
producing large colonies over time.
Online References:
Southeastern Flora, the Southeastern U.S. Plant Identification Resource
Illinois Wildflowers
Missouriplants.com
The Missouri Botanical Garden
Plants.ces.ncsu.edu
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
EFloras
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
9/2/2018 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)
8/10/2013 · Stone Arch Bridge Trail, Near Flat Rock Hill, Dunstable, Massachusetts
9/2/2018 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts
7/20/2017 · Douthat State Park, Millboro, Virginia · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)
8/6/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain
8/10/2013 · Stone Arch Bridge Trail, Near Flat Rock Hill, Dunstable, Massachusetts
Older scientific or horticultural names
Helianthus divaricatus L. var. angustifolius Kuntze
Helianthus divaricatus description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 19 Aug 2023.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)
8/10/2013 · Stone Arch Bridge Trail, Near Flat Rock Hill, Dunstable, Massachusetts
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts ID is uncertain
8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)
7/20/2017 · Douthat State Park, Millboro, Virginia · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)
8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
9/2/2018 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain
Range: Zones 3-8:
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