Pale-leaf sunflower

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Clade: Eudicots
• Clade: Asterids
• Order: Asterales
• Family: Asteraceae
• Genus: Helianthus
• Species: Helianthus strumosus L.

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Common Names by Region

• United States: Pale-leaf Sunflower, Woodland Sunflower
• Canada: Pale Sunflower
• Indigenous Names: Varies by language and tribe, often referring to its use in traditional medicine and food sources.

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Description

Growth Habit

• Perennial herbaceous plant with rhizomatous growth.
• Upright stems reaching moderate heights, often in clumps.

Size

• Grows between 3 to 8 feet (0.9 to 2.4 meters) in height.

Leaves

• Shape: Lanceolate to ovate, with a rough texture.
• Arrangement: Opposite on the lower stem, becoming alternate higher up.
• Color: Pale green to gray-green, with a slightly downy underside.

Flowers

• Inflorescence: Daisy-like composite heads, typical of the Asteraceae family.
• Bloom Color: Bright yellow ray florets with a darker yellow to brownish center.
• Size: Flower heads are 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 8 cm) in diameter.
• Blooming Season: Mid to late summer, extending into early fall.

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Known Range

Native Range

• North America: Found across the eastern and central United States and into southeastern Canada.
• Particularly abundant in prairies, open woodlands, meadows, and roadsides.

Cultivated Range

• Widely cultivated for ornamental purposes and ecological restoration.
• Grown in gardens for its pollinator-friendly nature and drought resistance.

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Care Requirements

Light

• Full sun to partial shade. Prefers open areas but tolerates woodland edges.

Watering

• Drought-tolerant once established. Requires moderate watering in dry conditions.

Soil

• Thrives in well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, or rocky substrates.
• Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH but tolerates a range.

Humidity

• Adapted to various humidity levels but prefers moderate conditions.

Temperature

• Cold-hardy and heat-tolerant, thriving in USDA Zones 3–9.

Propagation

• By Seed: Seeds require cold stratification for improved germination.
• By Rhizome Division: Spreads naturally via underground rhizomes, forming colonies over time.

Common Pests/Diseases

• Generally resilient but may be affected by aphids, leafhoppers, and fungal leaf spots in humid conditions.

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Additional Notes

Special Features

• Pollinator Magnet: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other insects.
• Wildlife Value: Provides food for birds and small mammals.
• Medicinal Uses: Historically used in Native American herbal medicine for its purported anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.
• Edible Uses: Young shoots and seeds can be consumed, similar to other Helianthus species.

Maintenance Level

• Low to Moderate: Requires occasional thinning to prevent aggressive spreading.
• Self-seeding: Can naturalize quickly in favorable conditions.