Helianthus grosseserratus
Encyclopedia
Helianthus grosseserratus, commonly known as sawtooth sunflower or thick-tooth sunflower
, is a perennial sunflower
in the family Asteraceae, with a large flowering head (inflorescence).
The plant may reach 3–12 feet (91–366 cm) in height and is found along streams, damp prairies and roadsides in the eastern parts of Canada
and the USA. It prefers full sun and moist, fertile loamy soil with high organic content.
The lanceolate
leaves are simple and alternate and may reach 4 to 12 inches (10–30 cm) long and from 1 to 4 inches (2–10 cm) wide. The leaf margins are sharply toothed (hence the name, sawtooth) to occasionally nearly entire and the tips are pointed.
The head
(formally composite flower) is 3 to 4 inches (7–10 cm) wide with golden-yellow disk flowers that bloom in summer and autumn. The 10-20 yellow petals are about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) long. The fruit is a single achene
within a husk.
Various insects, birds and mammals–including cattle–feed on either the plant or its seeds.
Native Americans used to treat burns with a poultice made from the flowers.
, is a perennial sunflower
Helianthus
Helianthus L. is a genus of plants comprising 52 species in the Asteraceae family, all of which are native to North America, with some species Helianthus L. is a genus of plants comprising 52 species in the Asteraceae family, all of which are native to North America, with some species Helianthus...
in the family Asteraceae, with a large flowering head (inflorescence).
The plant may reach 3–12 feet (91–366 cm) in height and is found along streams, damp prairies and roadsides in the eastern parts of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the USA. It prefers full sun and moist, fertile loamy soil with high organic content.
The lanceolate
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
leaves are simple and alternate and may reach 4 to 12 inches (10–30 cm) long and from 1 to 4 inches (2–10 cm) wide. The leaf margins are sharply toothed (hence the name, sawtooth) to occasionally nearly entire and the tips are pointed.
The head
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
(formally composite flower) is 3 to 4 inches (7–10 cm) wide with golden-yellow disk flowers that bloom in summer and autumn. The 10-20 yellow petals are about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) long. The fruit is a single achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
within a husk.
Various insects, birds and mammals–including cattle–feed on either the plant or its seeds.
Native Americans used to treat burns with a poultice made from the flowers.