The sunflower is an annual plant. The flower portion of a sunflower is a head of numerous flowers, known as florets, all crowded together. The outer florets are called the ray florets and they can be different colors. The disc florets when they mature are commonly known as sunflower seeds. Which is actually the fruit of a sunflower. The seeds are in an inedible husk.
During the early stages of a sunflower, it exhibits heliotropism. What this means is during the course of the day the sunflower head follows the sun. In the morning you will witness the head facing the east. This is done because of the motor cells in the pulvinus, the flexible area of the stem that is just below the bud of a sunflower.
Sunflowers are native to the Americas. As early as the year of 1000 B.C. Incans used the sunflower head as an image of the sun god. To make a sunflower grow well make sure you’re going them in full sun with a moist but well drained soil.
Recently cultivators have produced a drooping head sunflower. Even though this type of sunflower is less attractive than that with the full face presenting itself, farmers like it because it helps reduce bird damage and loss of some plant diseases. There are also brands of sunflowers that are being cultivated that are resistant to some diseases. Sunflowers can also produce latex, which is why a study is being done to find out if there is a possibility of producing hypoallergenic latex. A dead sunflower can help dry up open wounds.
Some sunflowers are considered by farmers as a nuisance and a weed, and can be found growing unwanted in corn or soy fields. These sunflowers can have a negative impact on these other crops.
And to just help you with a little trivia – Kansas is the Sunflower State
