Porter's sunflower
ExplorePlants
Porter's sunflower
Helianthus porteri
Porter's sunflower is a bright and cheerful flower that loves to grow in sunny places. Its big yellow petals and tall stems make it a favorite among butterflies and bees!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Porter's sunflower is a tall, slender plant reaching up to 2 meters, distinctive with its bright yellow ray petals encircling a prominent purplish-brown central disk. Unlike common sunflowers, its flower heads are relatively small, often growing in clusters along the stem.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusHelianthus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Even after blooming, the dry seed heads provide winter snacks for hungry birds!
Its 'flower' is actually hundreds of tiny flowers packed together called florets!
Named after botanist Thomas Conrad Porter, not for carrying things!
Young Porter's sunflowers can slowly turn their heads to follow the sun across the sky!
Special abilities
Ability
Deep Root Anchor
Porter's sunflower has long, deep roots that help it find water in dry, rocky soils and stay standing in windy conditions.
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
Its bright yellow petals and nectar-rich disk attract bees and other insects, helping the plant reproduce by spreading pollen.
Ability
Seed Powerhouse
This sunflower produces many tiny seeds, providing a vital food source for birds and small mammals, ensuring its survival.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-200 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 4-8 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late summer to fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
eaten by
American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
feeds on mature seeds
eaten by
Painted Lady butterfly
Vanessa cardui
larvae may feed on leaves
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch flowers without permission, as some can be delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Porter's sunflower?
The easiest way to identify Porter's sunflower is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Porter's sunflower?
100-200 cm
How wide does Porter's sunflower spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Porter's sunflower?
4-8 cm
When does Porter's sunflower bloom?
Late summer to fall
Is Porter's sunflower edible?
Yes
Is Porter's sunflower toxic?
None
What is Porter's sunflower's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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