Prairie Sunflowers are one of many different sunflowers native to North America. They have large showy flowers (1.5-3 in across) with 12-25 yellow ray petals surrounding a brown central disc. The central disc later forms a head of brown seeds (.25 in) that are enjoyed by birds.
Prairie Sunflowers are 1-3 ft high with many erect flower-bearing branches. They often grow in clumps and can be seen flowering along dry, sandy roadsides in late summer. They are common in most parts of the United States as well as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
Could it be? Prairie Sunflowers are taller with larger flowers and more ray florets (petals) than Black-eyed Susans. Arrowleaf Balsamroot flower earlier in the year and have larger blossoms and longer leaves.
Did you know? Sunflowers were a common crop of the Indigenous peoples of North America as early as 3000 BC in modern-day Arizona and New Mexico, providing cooking oil and yellow and purple dyes.
See Also: Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Gaillardia, Philadelphia Fleabane, Prairie Coneflower, Tufted Fleabane
