- Helianthus maximiliani
Taxobox
name = "Helianthus maximiliani"
image_width = 260px
regnum =Plantae
division = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Asterales
familia =Asteraceae
genus = "Helianthus "
species = "H. maximiliani"
binomial = "Helianthus maximiliani"
binomial_authority = Schrad.
synonyms = "Helianthus dalyi"
"Helianthus maximilianii""Helianthus maximiliani" (also, "H. maximilianii") is a species of sunflower known by the common name Maximilian sunflower.
Native to much of the eastern half of North America, it is found in parts of the western half as an
introduced species . The plant thrives in a number of ecosystems, particularly across the plains in central Canada and the United States. It is also cultivated as an ornamental.A bunching perennial herb, it grows from a stout
rhizome and reaches heights from one half to three meters. The lance-shaped leaves are narrow, pointed, folded down the midvein, and up to 30 centimeters long on large plants. The slender, tall, erect stems and alternately-arranged leaves are covered in rough hairs. The flower heads are surrounded at the base by pointed green phyllaries which often stick straight out and curl at the tips. The center is filled with yellow tipped brown disc florets and the circumference is lined with bright yellow ray florets 2 to 4 centimeters long.The plant reproduces by seed and by vegetative sprouting from the rhizome. The thick rhizome is edible and provided a food similar to the
Jerusalem artichoke for Native American groups such as theSioux . The flower heads are attractive to insects and the fruits are eaten by birds. This sunflower is named forPrince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied , who encountered it on his travels in North America.External links
* [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1308,1315 Jepson Manual Treatment]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HEMA2 USDA Plants Profile]
* [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/helmax/all.html Ecology]
* [http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/wildflwr/species/helimaxi.htm Northern Prairie Wildflowers]
* [http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/images/pics/ast/helianthus_maximiliani.htm Photo gallery]
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