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Helianthus annuus 'Selma Suns'
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Compositae) |
| Common Name: | Sunflower, 向日葵 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Open |
| Maximum Height | 2.1 m to 2.4 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herb up to 1.5-2.4 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Large, triangular leaves are alternately arranged and have a toothed leaf margin. |
| Flowers | Compound inflorescence, known as a head, is 8-15 cm wide. Flowers are bi-coloured to multi-coloured in varying shades of yellow, red, orange and brown. Each plant produces 6-30 heads located in the leaf axils or at the stem tip. |
| Fruit | Although commonly referred to as sunflower seeds, they are actually fruits. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Plants accumulate calcium, manganese, zinc and copper from the soil. |
| Cultivation | This cultivar blooms at about 61 days. Plants produce viable seed through self-pollination. After establishment, they are tolerant to drought. Water thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry slightly before re-watering. |
| Etymology | The specific epithet 'annuus' means annual in Latin. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Seeds Cut - Dried Flower: Cut flowers are long-lasting. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Flowerbed / Border |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee), Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Soil pH Range From | 5.7 |
| Soil pH Range To | 8.1 |
| Planting Remarks | Sow seeds about 1 cm deep. |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
| Planting Distance | 30 cm to 45 cm |
| Seed / Spore Germination Duration | 14 days |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Deltoid) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Brown, Red, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Wrinkled |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Asymmetrical |
| Individual Flower Shape | Ligulate / Strap-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Head / Capitulum |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Caryopsis / Grain |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32965 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7379 |
| 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. |
