Sunflowers

Sunflowers are flowering plants of the genus Helianthus, most notably Helianthus annuus, in the family Asteraceae. Native to North America, they have been cultivated for seeds, oil, and ornamental value for centuries and are grown in many regions around the world. Sunflowers are annuals with tall, sturdy stems and large composite flower heads that resemble a single flower.

Each flower head consists of an outer ring of ray florets and a central disk of many tubular florets, which develop into seeds. In young plants, the heads often track the sun (heliotropism); as they mature, many varieties orient toward the east. Plants typically reach heights from one to several meters, with vigorous, upright growth and broad, rough leaves.

Seeds are edible and come in various colors, including black-striped and gray-black. They are a major source of edible oil, with oil content commonly around 40–50%, and are also used as snack foods. The press cake remaining after oil extraction is used as high-protein animal feed. Sunflower oil is valued for cooking and industrial uses, including biodiesel in some regions, while seeds and seedlings are used in animal fodder and cultivation.

Ecology and cultivation: sunflowers prefer full sun and well-drained soil, with moderate drought tolerance. They attract pollinators such as bees and provide food for birds when mature. Pests include sunflower beetles and cutworms; diseases such as downy mildew and sclerotinia can affect yields in some climates.

History and distribution: domesticated by Indigenous peoples in the Americas, sunflowers were later introduced to Europe and other regions and are now grown worldwide for oil, seed, and ornamental purposes.