dune sunflower

Plant Type

Herbaceous Wildflower

Life Cycle

Annual

Typical Size

1-2 ft. tall
2-4 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Drought, Salt Exposure

Inolerant of

Poorly Drained Soil

Propagation

By seed

Plant Propagation Notes

Easily grown from seed and readily self seeds.

Plant Planting Notes

Self-seeding can be aggressive in optimal growing conditions.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Fruit/seeds for birds

Leaves

Leaves mostly cauline and alternate. Leaf blades delate-ovate with subentire to serrate margins.

Flowers

Flower heads made up of 11-20 bright yellow ray and 30+ reddish disc flowers with dark anthers.

Fruit

Cypselae glabrous or sparsely hairy.

Bark

Stems decumbent, sometimes red/brown mottled.

Toxicity

No known toxicity.

USDA Hardiness Zones

8, 9, 10

Light Exposure

Full Sun

Soil Moisture

Dry, Medium

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Native in South Carolina?

No

Closest States Where Native

GA

Plant Native Habitat

Dunes and disturbed areas throughout coastal areas.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Native in coastal Georgia; naturalized in coastal South Carolina

Subspecies

Helianthus debilis subsp. cucumerifolius
Helianthus debilis subsp. debilis
Helianthus debilis subsp. silvestris
Helianthus debilis subsp. tardiflorus
Helianthus debilis subsp. vestitus