Sonecznik

Sonecznik, or słonecznik in Polish, refers to the sunflower, a flowering plant in the genus Helianthus, most notably Helianthus annuus. It is cultivated for its seeds and the oil they yield, and also grown as an ornamental plant.

Description: It is an annual herb reaching usually 1.5–3 meters in height. Stems are stout and hairy; leaves are broad, rough, and heart-shaped. Each head comprises yellow ray florets around a brown central disk. Young plants exhibit heliotropism, but mature heads commonly face east.

Distribution and cultivation: Native to North America, sunflowers are now grown worldwide. They prefer full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. They are sown in spring and harvested in late summer to autumn, when seed heads dry and seeds mature.

Uses: Seeds are edible and widely consumed, roasted or raw; pressed to produce sunflower oil used for cooking and food processing. Seed meal is used as animal feed. Ornamental cultivars are common in gardens.

Pests and diseases: Sunflowers can be affected by insect pests such as aphids and the sunflower moth, and by fungal diseases including mildew and rust. Good cultural practices and resistant varieties reduce problems.

Nutritional notes: Sunflower seeds are high in fats, protein, and vitamin E, and provide minerals such as magnesium. Oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

History: The plant was domesticated in the Americas by Indigenous peoples and was introduced to Europe in the 16th century, where it became widely cultivated for oil and ornamental use.