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Helianthus annuus 'Earth Walker'
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Compositae) |
| Common Name: | Sunflower 'Earth Walker' |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Columnar |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Of horticultural origin |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Erect herb, 1.5-2.7m tall |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves narrow deltoid, 5-8cm long by 5-6 cm wide, rough hairy. Leaf stalks and main vein of leaves purple. |
| Stems | Stem with long white hairs. |
| Flowers | Flowers 20 - 25cm across; petals (ray florets) in various shades of orange - chocolate brown, base of petals suffused with a light orange. Centre of flower (disc florets) very dark brown, appearing almost black. This cultivar produces multiple flower heads at a time. |
| Fruit | The dry, indehiscent fruit is known as an achene. |
| Cultivation | It grows best in fertile, well-drained soil. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Seeds |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute, Rough |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Brown, Orange |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32362 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6773 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
