# common woolly sunflower (*Eriophyllum lanatum*) The common woolly sunflower is a bright yellow flower that grows in sunny places. Its soft, fuzzy leaves help it stay cool and collect water from the air, making it special in its dry home. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![common woolly sunflower](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eriophyllum_lanatum_3575.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eriophyllum_lanatum_3575.JPG) ## Appearance The common woolly sunflower has numerous bright yellow, daisy-like flowers. Its most striking feature is the covering of soft, white, woolly hairs on its stems and leaves, giving it a distinctive fuzzy, silvery-green appearance that sets it apart from typical smooth-stemmed sunflowers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Eriophyllum ## Interesting facts - Even its scientific name, lanatum, means "woolly" in Latin! - It can grow happily on rocky slopes where few other plants dare! - Its "woolly" coat isn't just for looks, it's a natural protector! - These bright yellow flowers look like mini suns on fuzzy stems. ## Special abilities - **Sunscreen Shield:** The common woolly sunflower has dense, fuzzy hairs that reflect harsh sunlight and protect its leaves from drying out. - **Water-Wise Warrior:** Its woolly coat traps moisture close to the plant, helping it conserve water and thrive in dry, sunny environments. - **Windbreak Wonder:** The fuzzy texture also helps reduce wind damage and prevent excessive water loss from strong gusts. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-60 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 3-5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — gathers nectar and pollen from flowers. - **Pollinates:** Yellow-faced Bumblebee (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — a key visitor collecting nectar. - **Pollinates:** [Painted Lady](https://www.snappit.app/explore/painted-lady) (*Vanessa cardui*) — larval food source and adult nectar. - **Eaten by:** [Yellow-bellied Marmot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-bellied-marmot) (*Marmota flaviventris*) — occasionally browses its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — deer may graze its foliage. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't pick flowers, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify common woolly sunflower? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is common woolly sunflower? 30-60 cm ### How wide does common woolly sunflower spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on common woolly sunflower? 3-5 cm ### When does common woolly sunflower bloom? Late spring to summer ### Is common woolly sunflower edible? Yes ### Is common woolly sunflower toxic? None ### What is common woolly sunflower's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Fairhaven](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairhaven) — Washington, US · Neighborhood - [Lake Oroville State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-oroville-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Painted Hills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/painted-hills) — Oregon, US · Natural Landmark - [Agate Desert](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/agate-desert) — Oregon, US · Nature Reserve - [Black Mountain Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-mountain-grove) — California, US · Forest [View all places to see common woolly sunflower](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-woolly-sunflower) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Common Woolly Sunflower: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-woolly-sunflower)