Snappit logo
Snappit
Get App
ExplorePlants

prairie sunflower

Helianthus petiolaris

The prairie sunflower is a bright and cheerful flower that loves to grow in sunny places. Its big yellow petals and brown center make it look like a little sun shining in the grass!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The prairie sunflower has bright yellow ray petals surrounding a reddish-brown central disk of tiny florets. Its stems are hairy and rough to the touch, often branching. The leaves are typically triangular or lance-shaped, appearing rugged.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusHelianthus

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

3

Interesting facts

Each big 'flower' is actually hundreds of tiny flowers packed together!

Its scientific name, Helianthus petiolaris, means 'sun flower with small stalks'!

Native Americans historically used parts of this sunflower for food and dye!

This tough plant can grow even in dry, sandy, or disturbed soils!

Special abilities

Ability

Deep-Root Diver

Prairie sunflower has a long taproot that helps it find water deep underground, surviving dry prairie conditions.

Ability

Sun Tracker

Young prairie sunflowers can turn their heads to follow the sun, getting maximum energy for growth.

Ability

Seed Spreader

Prairie sunflower produces hundreds of seeds that help it reproduce widely and feed many prairie creatures.

Measurements & details

Height
30-180 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
5-10 cm
Bloom Season
Summer to early fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Annual
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't pick flowers in nature to help them grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify prairie 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 prairie sunflower?

30-180 cm

How wide does prairie sunflower spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on prairie sunflower?

5-10 cm

When does prairie sunflower bloom?

Summer to early fall

Is prairie sunflower edible?

Yes

Is prairie sunflower toxic?

None

What is prairie sunflower's lifecycle?

Annual

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Where to spot

Take the discovery with you

Found prairie sunflower?

Snap it with Snappit to identify it, learn what makes it special, and add the discovery to your collection.

  1. 1Spot it
  2. 2Snap it
  3. 3Keep the discovery

More Plants