Pale-leaved Woodland Sunflower

Appearance

Growing from a rhizomatous root system, "H. strumosus" grows from three to eight feet in height. The pale-leaf sunflower can be difficult to distinguish since it is the most variable of the sunflowers. Some distinguishing features include the petioles, leaves, and stem. The petioles are an inch in length. The leaves tend to be thick and more narrow than other species. The leaves are white underneath. "H. strumosus" also has a definitively smooth stem. The flower head of "H. strumosus" has a yellow center surrounded by a variable number of yellow ray florets.

Distribution

"Helianthus strumosus" is a widely distributed in North America. It is found in the central and eastern United States, and southeastern parts of Canada. It is found more regularly in non-wetland areas, although it can occur in wetlands. The woodland sunflower is normally found in moist to moderately moist and sandy to loamy sandy areas. "H. strumosus" grows in natural, disturbed, and man-made habitats. The population can quickly become dense. These flowers must go through a minimum 30 day cold stratification before they are able to germinate.

Habitat

Pale-leaf sunflowers can be found in a diverse range of habitats including woodland areas, prairies, and meadows, providing that these habitats have access to partial sun.

Uses

The roots of "H. strumosus" are one of the only edible parts of the plant. They can be boiled down to make a liquor that has been used to treat adults and children with worms. The roots can also be used to make an infusion to help with lung related problems. Seeds from this sunflower can be used to make an oil for cooking and soap making.