Helianthus grosseserratus
| Sawtooth Sunflower | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Helianthus |
| Species: | H. grosseserratus |
| Binomial name | |
| Helianthus grosseserratus M.Martens[1] | |
Helianthus grosseserratus, commonly known as sawtooth sunflower or thick-tooth sunflower[2] , is a perennial sunflower in the family Asteraceae, with a large flowering head (inflorescence).
The plant may reach 3–12 feet (91–366 cm) in height and is found along streams, damp prairies and roadsides in the eastern parts of Canada and the USA.[2] It prefers full sun and moist, fertile loamy soil with high organic content.[3]
The lanceolate leaves are simple and alternate and may reach 4 to 12 inches (10–30 cm) long and from 1 to 4 inches (2–10 cm) wide. The leaf margins are sharply toothed (hence the name, sawtooth) to occasionally nearly entire and the tips are pointed.
The head (formally composite flower) is 3 to 4 inches (7–10 cm) wide with golden-yellow disk flowers that bloom in summer and autumn. The 10-20 yellow petals are about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) long. The fruit is a single achene within a husk.
Various insects, birds and mammals–including cattle–feed on either the plant or its seeds.[3][4]
Native Americans used to treat burns with a poultice made from the flowers.[4]
References
- ↑ "PLANTS Profile for Helianthus grosseserratus (sawtooth sunflower)". USDA PLANTS. plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wiersema, John H. "Helianthus grosseserratus information from NPGS/GRIN:". ars-grin.gov. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Sawtooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus):". illinoiswildflowers.info. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses - Sawtooth sunflower:". kswildflower.org. Retrieved 2010-10-11.