Helianthus laevigatus

Helianthus laevigatus is a North American species of sunflower known by the common name smooth sunflower. It is native to the east-central and southeastern United States from Georgia to Maryland.[2]

Helianthus laevigatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Helianthus
Species:
H. laevigatus
Binomial name
Helianthus laevigatus
Synonyms[1]
  • Helianthus mollis var. cordatus S.Watson
  • Helianthus reindutus (E.S.Steele) E.Watson
  • Helianthus laevigatus subsp. reindutus (E.S.Steele) E.S.Steele

Helianthus laevigatus is a perennial herb up to 220 cm (over 7 feet) tall, spreading by means of underground rhizomes. Most of the leaves are on the stem rather than crowded around the base, each leaf up to 15 cm (6 inches) long. Leaves and stems generally have no hairs, and the undersides of the leaves sometimes appear pale because of a layer of wax on the surface. One plant usually produces 1-6 flower heads. Each head has 5-10 yellow ray florets surrounding 40 or more yellow disc florets. The plant grows soils derived from shale.[3][4]

References
  1. The Plant List, Helianthus laevigatus Torr. & A.Gray
  2. Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  3. Flora of North America, Helianthus laevigatus Torrey & A. Gray, 1842. Smooth sunflower
  4. Carl S. Keener 1983. Distribution and biohistory of the endemic flora of the mid-Appalachian shale barrens. Botanical Review 49:65-115


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