Flowers Growing at Our Home

Common Sunflower; Mirasol

Helianthus annuus (Asteraceae) A tall, coarse, leafy plant with a hairy stem commonly branched in the upper half and bearing several or many flower heads, the central maroon disk surrounded by many bright yellow rays. Flowers: heads 3-5 inches wide; ovate bracts abruptly narrowed to a slender tip, and stiff scales among disk flowers. Found throughout most of the United States, much of North America. The state flower of Kansas. Heads follow sun each day. Ours are volunteers found on our ledge below the lawn for the first time in 2006.