Plains sunflower

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Plains sunflower inflorescence

Plains sunflower

Plains sunflower inflorescence

Plains sunflower

Plains sunflower habit

Plains sunflower inflorescence

Plains sunflower leaves

Plains sunflower leaves

Plains sunflower

Plains sunflower bracts

Plains sunflower chaffy bracts

Morphology

Stem

Erect, simple or branched, generally light green, usually stiff-hairy.

Leaves

Mostly alternate, simple, long-stalked, triangular-ovate to narrowly lanceolate, 1.5 to 6 inches long, .5 to 3 inches wide, stiff-hairy, bluish gray when mature; margins entire or shallow toothed.

Inflorescence

Heads, few, on stalks 3 to 4 inches long, terminal, 2 to 2.5 inch wide; bracts lanceolate to spatulate, stiff-hairy.

Flower

Ray florets 15-30, 1/4 to 1 inch long, yellow; disk 1/2 to 1 inch wide, disk florets with reddish purple corollas, chaffy bracts at center of disk densely white-hairy.

Fruit

Achenes, oblong, less than 1/4 inch long, swollen, hairy, tipped with 2 deciduous awns, enclosing small seed.

Ecology

Habitat

Dry, open, sandy sites.

Distribution

Throughout Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

The Hopi mixed dried, ground petals of plains sunflower with cornmeal to use as yellow face powder for ceremonial dances. The Navajo made a liquid from the plant that they sprinkled on their clothing to bring good luck when hunting.

Additional Notes