Family: Asteraceae
Author: Nutt.
Bibliography: Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 2: 177 (1818)
Year: 1818
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Helianthus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Canada to N. & EC. U.S.A.
Description
Stiff sunflower, known scientifically as Helianthus pauciflorus, is a notable species within the Asteraceae family. This robust perennial is found predominantly from Canada down to the North and East Central regions of the United States, reflecting its adaptability to various North American climates.
The Stiff sunflower was first documented in 1818 by the botanist Nuttall, with its initial description appearing in the “Genera of North American Plants”. Characterized by its hearty, upright stems, this plant typically flourishes in prairies, open woodlands, and along roadsides, where it enjoys full sunlight and well-drained soils.
One of the key identifying features of the Stiff sunflower is its distinctive, coarse leaves, often stiff to the touch, which is likely the origin of its common name. The leaves are usually lance-shaped, with a rough texture that differentiates it from its more delicate relatives within the sunflower genus. The vibrant yellow blooms, appearing from mid-summer to early fall, consist of a central disc surrounded by radiant ray florets, characteristic of the sunflower family.
Given its extensive range, the Stiff sunflower plays a significant role in local ecosystems. It serves as an essential food source for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and subsequently aids in the pollination of surrounding flora. Furthermore, its seeds provide nourishment for birds and small mammals, making it a vital component of its native habitat.
In addition to its ecological importance, the Stiff sunflower is valued horticulturally. Gardeners and landscape designers often use it to add height and color to perennial borders and as a naturalizing plant in prairie restorations due to its minimal care requirements and drought tolerance.
In essence, Helianthus pauciflorus stands out not only for its striking appearance but also for its significant ecological contributions, making it a cherished species across a broad swath of North America.
Common Names
Ita: girasole selvatico
Swe: gråmalva, lindmalva, myskmalva, höstsolros, flerårig solros
Fin: harmaamalvikki, kelta-aulio, myskimalva
Fra: hélianthe raide, hélianthe rigide
Dan: kinajute, moskus-katost, smalbladet kattehale, staude-solsikke
Nor: linderose, moskuskattost, poppelrose
Deu: steife sonnenblume, armblütige sonnenblume
Eng: stiff sunflower, rigid sunflower
En: Stiff sunflower, Rigid sunflower
Ar: دوار الشمس قليل الأزهار
Da: Staude-Solsikke, Kinajute, Moskus-Katost, Smalbladet kattehale
Eo: Helianto rigida
Fi: Syysauringonkukka, Harmaamalvikki, Kelta-aulio, Myskimalva
Fr: Hélianthe rigide, Hélianthe raide, Soleil vivace
De: Armblütige Sonnenblume, Blühfreudige Sonnenblume, Steife Sonnenblume
It: Girasole selvatico
No: Linderose, Moskuskattost, Poppelrose
Pl: Słonecznik szorstki
Sv: Höstsolros, Gråmalva, Lindmalva, Myskmalva, Flerårig solros
Synonyms
Distribution
- Alberta (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Texas (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Amur (introduced)
- Austria (introduced)
- Baltic States (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Khabarovsk (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Norway (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Sardegna (introduced)
- Sicilia (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Ukraine (introduced)
- Yugoslavia (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2021 by Joseph Dupont (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jun 12, 2021 by Laurent Lallement (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Joshua Kuykendall (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Buddy Bolden (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 2, 2021 by Denisa Regine Novotná (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2020 by Jean-Claude Lainé (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 21, 2021 by Meineke Dietlinde (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 12, 2020 by can lindy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 22, 2021 by Mercè Soteras (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3119231)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:329249-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Helianthus pauciflorus Nutt.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 7.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Soil nutriments: 6