Sawtooth sunflower
Helianthus grosseserratus Martens
Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, simple or branching above, often purplish, glabrous and waxy below, appressed-hairy in inflorescence.
- Leaves
- Mostly alternate, simple, stalked, lanceolate, 4 to 12 inches long, 1 to 4 inches wide, rough above, soft-hairy below; margins sharply toothed to occasionally nearly entire; tips pointed.
- Inflorescence
- Heads, numerous, in loose, panicle-like clusters; heads 3 to 4 inches wide; bracts linear-lanceolate, slightly longer than disk, overlapping, loose and spreading.
- Flower
- Ray florets 10-20, about 1.5 inch long, yellow; disk florets numerous, golden-yellow.
- Fruit
- Achenes, short, flattened, dark brown to black, tipped with 2 awns, enclosing small seed.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Stream and wetland edges, open bottomlands, damp prairies, roadsides, and waste places.
- Distribution
- East 2/5 of Kansas.
Practical Information
- Forage Value
- Livestock will consume sawtooth sunflower.
- Uses
- Native Americans treated burns with a poultice made from the flowers.
Additional Notes
Comments
Named for the conspicuous teeth along the leaf edges.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 3-12 feet
- Last Updated
- 2021-05-31
Color Groups
Yellow Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: August, September