Helianthus divaricatus (Woodland sunflower)

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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 24-72" (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

The University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium

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

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
≈ 5 × 4½" (12 × 11 cm)

7/20/2017 · Douthat State Park, Millboro, Virginia
≈ 2½ × 2" (7 × 5.4 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
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm)

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)

Helianthus divaricatus L. var. angustifolius Kuntze

Helianthus divaricatus description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 19 Aug 2023.

8/10/2013 · Stone Arch Bridge Trail, Near Flat Rock Hill, Dunstable, Massachusetts
≈ 6 × 4" (14 × 10 cm)

7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 31 × 21" (78 × 52 cm) 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
≈ 2½ × 2" (6.5 × 5.9 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
≈ 4½ × 4" (11 × 10 cm)

8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 9 × 6" (21 × 14 cm) ID is uncertain

Range: Zones 3-8:

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