Heliopsis helianthoides - (image 1 of 5)
Taxonomy
Family: Asteraceae
Habitat
Frequent in disturbed prairies, in thickets and along woodland edges.
Associates
In prairies with Cirsium discolor, Convolvulus seprium, Helianthus grosseserratus, Lilium michiganense, Monarda fistulosa, Ratibida pinnata, Silphium integrifolium, Tradescantia ohiensis, Veronicastrum virginicum, Vicia americana.
Distribution
Morphology
Herbaceous perennial. Leaves opposite, arrow-shaped, serrate, on short petioles. Ray flowers yellow; disk flowers yellow to yellow-brown; involucral bracts typically acute to acuminate. Stems smooth
Notes
Flowers mid June to early October
Wetland indicator: Upland
Not a real sunflower! Actually, it is pretty closely related. Both the ray and disk flowers form achenes, unlike true sunflowers which have sterile ray flowers. Like many of the perennial sunflowers, makes a great ornamental for sunny gardens and the seeds provide sustenance for birds and other wildlife.
Bibliography
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
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Michael Hough © 2005 |