Facts about Sunflower
A range of sunflower varieties exist with differing fatty acid compositions; some "high oleic" types contain a higher level of healthy monounsaturated fats in their oil than even olive oil.
The disc florets mature into what are traditionally called "sunflower seeds," but are actually the fruit (an achene) of the plant.
The wild sunflower typically does not turn toward the sun; its flowering heads may face many directions when mature.
The common sunflower also has large (up to 12 inches long), broad, toothed, leaves.
The adaptation that allows sunflowers to advance their own individual purpose of reproduction, the "flower head," also contributes larger value for the ecosystem and for humans.
Sunflower "whole seed" (fruit) are sold as a snack food after roasting within heated ovens, with or without salt added.
A model for the pattern of florets in the head of a sunflower was proposed by H Vogel.
Ecologically, sunflowers are copious nectar producers, providing food for pollinating bees, while the seeds and leaves provide food for such animals as birds, insects, and squirrels.
The earliest known examples of a fully domesticated sunflower were found at the Hayes site in Tennessee and date back to around 2300 B.C.E.
Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, is an annual plant native to the Americas, with a large flowering head (inflorescence).
The outer perimeter of a flower head like that of a sunflower is composed of florets possessing a long strap-like petal, termed a ligule; these are the ray florets.
Scientific literature reports, from 1567, that a 12 meter (40 feet), traditional, single-head, sunflower plant was grown in Padua.
Sunflower is the common name for any of the plants of the genus Helianthus of the flowering plant family Asteraceae (known as the aster, daisy, or sunflower family).
Overall, the common sunflower, with its flowers of various colors (yellow, maroon, orange, etc.
Sunflowers can be processed into a peanut butter alternative, Sunbutter, especially in China, Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and Europe.
The family Asteraceae, to which Helianthus belongs, is known as the aster, daisy, or sunflower family.
Sunflowers most commonly grow to heights between 2.5 and 3.5 meters (8 - 12 feet), with a rough, hairy stem.
The seeds of the common sunflower are eaten and are a source of a valuable oil (one of the most important vegetable oils).
Sunflowers also produce latex and are the subject of experiments to improve their suitability as an alternative crop for producing hypoallergenic rubber.
It is used in industry for making paints and cosmetics. The roasted seeds make a coffee type drink. In countries where they grow sunflowers the seed cake that is left after the oil is extracted is given to livestock as food.Oct 6, 2009
While they are stunningly beautiful, they also are rich in history and meaning. Sunflowers symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity. Much of the meaning of sunflowers stems from its namesake, the sun itself.Jun 10, 2015
Put some damp soil in a plastic cup so it comes up almost to the top. ... Drop a sunflower seed into the hole. ... Put the cup on a sunny windowsill. ... Your plant should pop up through the soil after about 1 or 2 weeks. ... When your plants grow too big for the cups, plant them in bigger flowerpots.More items...
Sunflowers say “summer” like no other plant. American natives, sunflowers are grown for beauty and harvested for seed. An annual plant, sunflowers have big, daisy-like flower faces of bright yellow petals (and occasionally red) and brown centers that ripen into heavy heads filled with seeds.
Although miniature sunflower varieties are about 2 feet tall, and giant varieties can grow over 10 feet tall, standard sunflowers are usually between 6 to 10 feet in height. Depending on the variety, sunflower plants started from seed can mature in 70 to 100 days.
Cover and keep watered until seeds sprout in 7 to 10 days. When first true leaves appear (the second set of leaves); thin plants to about 2 feet apart. Depending on the variety, sunflowers will mature and develop seeds in 80 to 120 days. Sow a new row every 2 to 3 weeks to enjoy continuous blooms until the first frost.
Cutting off a sunflower (Helianthus spp.) bloom can serve several purposes, depending on the type of sunflower you grow. With annual varieties, the only reasons to cut off the dead blooms is to harvest the seeds. But perennials can grow new blooms if deadheaded, in addition to providing you with seeds.