Family - Asteraceae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

Abaxial surface of the leaf.

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

Involucre -No info. yet.

Involucre.

Ray flowers - No info. yet.

Disk flowers - No info. yet.

Flowering - July - October.

Habitat - Limestone glades, bluffs, bald knobs, rocky prairies, loess hills, roadsides, waste ground.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This showy species can be found scattered nearly throughout Missouri but is actually only native to the western Ozark region and in the loess hills of the extreme northwest corner of the state. It has been introduced elsewhere. This is perhaps the easiest species of Helianthus to identify in Missouri. The alternate leaves, which are folded and falcate, and grayish cast of the entire plant are good characters to look for. This big plant does very well in cultivation but can get weedy if left undisturbed. Cultivated varieties are even more showy than the wild plants.

Photographs taken off Hwy 60, Carter County, MO., 8-31-03.