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Helianthus annuus  L.
Common sunflower,   Hairy leaved sunflower,   Sunflower
© 2021 Mike Russler
© 2019 Bob Case
© 2024 Mel Letterman
© 2021 Mike Russler
© 2023 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2024 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2024 Diane Etchison
© 2024 Robert Vail
© 2023 Anna Prang
© 2019 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2019 Aaron Echols
© 2022 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2023 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2023 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2024 Mel Letterman
© 2024 Diane Etchison
© 2022 Mike Russler
© 2021 Mike Russler
© 2021 Mike Russler
© 2021 Mike Russler
© 2021 Mike Russler
© 2019 Bob Case
© 2021 Mike Russler
© 2013 BOB CASE
© 2022 Mojgan Mahdizadeh
© 2022 Mojgan Mahdizadeh
© 2022 Mike Russler
© 2022 Mike Russler
© 2022 Mike Russler
© 2017 Kristin Sabo
Helianthus annuus is an annual herb that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in North America and beyond.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
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Bloom Period
Genus: Helianthus
Family: Asteraceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Wetlands: Occurs usually in non wetlands, occasionally in wetlands

Habitat: disturbed

Communities: wetland-riparian, weed, characteristic of disturbed places

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
JEF + PLANTSHelianthus annuus ssp. jaegeri
JEF + PLANTSHelianthus annuus ssp. lenticularis
PLANTSHelianthus annuus ssp. texanus
PLANTSHelianthus annuus var. lenticularis
JEF + PLANTSHelianthus annuus var. macrocarpus
More …
Information about  Helianthus annuus from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (HEAN3)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Seed Crop, Livestock Forage, Domestic Garden Use: The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a species of large annual forb of the genus Helianthus. It is commonly grown as a crop for its edible oily seeds. Apart from cooking oil production, it is also used as livestock forage (as a meal or a silage plant), as bird food, in some industrial applications, and as an ornamental in domestic gardens. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2025).