Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Tuesday - March 22, 2005
From: Lawrence, KS
Region: Midwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Smarty Plants on Helianthus annuus
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am doing an Earth Fair project on the Helianthus annuus. I would like to know if you possibly had any information on this subject. Some of the things I would like to know are: How big does it get? How long does it live? What eats it? Where does it live (habitat and climate requirements)? What laws protect it? Does it have economic value? How does it protect itself? Is it poisonous to humans? other animals? How does it reproduce? What species of plants and animals would you expect to find in the same area as where it lives? why? Is it common in Kansas? What parts is it most common to? What time of year are you most likely to see them? Where other than Kansas can they be found? Is it maintaining a stable population in Kansas? Other places in it's range?ANSWER:
You can find the answer to most of your questions by reading the entry in the Native Plants Database on the Wildflower Center web page about Helianthus annuus, common sunflower. Be sure to check the information under the Menu categories (Benefits, Bloom, Characters, etc.) at the top of the page. Another source to check is the Kansas State University web page of Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses.
For questions concerning the populations of common sunflowers in Kansas, you might contact the:
Kansas Wilflower Society
R. L. McGregor Herbarium
University of Kansas
2045 Constant Avenue
Lawrence, KS 66047-3729
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
Plants for cleared area by creek
October 10, 2008 - Hi Mr. Smarty Pants. My front "yard" is about 2 1/2 sloping acres with a wet weather creek at the bottom. It has been recently cleared of cedar. The cedar is now shredded and acts as a cover to he...
view the full question and answer
Is there a variety of bluebonnet called black gumbo
February 04, 2008 - I live in Grimes County, Texas on the eastern edge of the Blackland Prairie. A few years ago my hillside of Bluebonnet seed was harvested. I was told it was a rare 'black gumbo' variety of bluebon...
view the full question and answer
Wildflowers for NY that bloom in the first season
May 17, 2010 - Hi, I'm looking for native annuals that germinate the same season they're planted. There are many northeast native annuals but most of them require a season of frost to germinate the following sprin...
view the full question and answer
Time for planting wildflower seeds in East Texas
August 06, 2007 - I live in northeast Texas, and we have had abundant rains here. Can I plant some wildflower seeds now, and if so, what plants would be appropriate?
view the full question and answer
Plants to prevent erosion in IL
August 02, 2012 - We just got done building a house and have leveled all of the dirt piles. We do have a row of straw bales to help prevent the dirt from washing onto the neighbors property. It is the wrong time of ye...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
