The Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Abstract

The sunflower is an annual belonging to the family Composite. Under favorable conditions the plant will grow to a height of 10 feet and the disc-shaped heads may reach a diameter of 2 feet. It is believed to be a native of the great plains of North America from Nebraska to Northern Mexico. The sunflower has been established in Europe and Asia so long that it is possible it was introduced by Japanese or Chinese merchants from the western coast of America and reached Europe before the potato, tobacco and other American plants. The nutty flavor of the seeds was relished from the earliest times and from Central Europe to the China coast V (list quantities are eaten raw to this day.