Mirasol
Helianthus annuus L.
Family :Asteraceae
Longevity : Perennial
Origin :Native
Season :Warm
Common Sunflower can be found in clay or heavy sands in disturbed soils of the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains. It is an upright annual that grows 1 1/2 to 8 feet tall. The leaves are up to twelve inches long and hairy. The flower head consists of 20 to 25 yellow ray flowers and numerous red or purple disk flowers and can be 2 3/8 to 5 inches in diameter. Common Sunflower is the most abundant sunflower in Texas. The seeds are readily eaten by bobwhite quail, mourning doves, Rio Grande turkeys, white-winged dove and various song birds. The leaves are occasionally eaten by white-tailed deer. The seeds can also be used commercially as well.
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