Common sunflower
| Sunflower | ||||||||||||||
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| A sunflower | ||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Helianthus annuus |
The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a flower with a typically large head which turns to face the sun. (Some recently developed varieties have drooping heads. These varieties are less attractive to gardeners growing the flowers as ornamentals, but appeal to farmers, because they may reduce bird damage and losses from some plant diseases.) The heads, which are actually compound flowers, usually grow on a stalk which can be several feet tall with few leaves. The petals can be yellow, maroon, orange, or other colors.
Sunflowers are native to the Americas, and were domesticated around 1000 B.C.. They were taken to Europe by the Spaniards early in the 16th century. Sunflower oil is used for cooking. The whole seeds are commonly sold as snacks, especially in the United States, and as food for birds. The meal remaining after the seeds have been processed for oil is sometimes used as a livestock feed.