They ’re one of the most instantly recognizable blooms out there , but there are still plenty of interesting thing to ascertain about this sunny blossom .
When you mean of sunflowers , you may picture fields bursting with tall blooms that seem as yellow as the sunshine itself , but sunflowers can actually be purple , orange , crimson , or even a mix of these hues . Not all of them are tall , either — there are nanus variety show that arise only about a human foot tall and giant variety that can reach more than 10 pes marvellous . Think you cognize everything there is to love about helianthus ? call back again ! Here are five more fascinating facts about these colorful buds .
1. Sunflowers Are Rooted in American Soil
The cheery blooms we call sunflowers are give rise by an annual plant ( Helianthus annuus ) that originate in North America . Asfar back as 3000 BC , Native Americans grew helianthus for medicine , oil , and food for thought . Eventually , they began breeding the plant life to produce a single , declamatory flower head or else of several smaller ones . In the 1500s , Spanish adventurer wreak sunflowers to Europe , where they before long became popular for their beauty and usefulness . By the 19th century , Russia alone was planting two million acres of sunflowers every twelvemonth . If you ’re finger inspired toplant your own sunflowers , we have expert news : they’reeasy to grow from germ . Because they ’re annual , they will only last one time of year , but there are alsoperennial coinage in the helianthus familyyou can try .
2. Sunflower Seeds Are Good for You
Sunflower seeds are a favored collation at baseball game , and many schools also recommend them as an allergic reaction - friendly alternative to nuts . The shelled seed can also make a tasty additionto breadand other sunbaked goods and can even besprinkled over salad . However , they ’re not just tasty — they’re extremely nutrient too . helianthus seed are a rich source of protein , potassium , magnesium , calcium , iron , and vitamin E. The next time you ’re appear for a healthy collation , grab a handful ofsunflower seedsand get cracking .
3. Sunlight is a Must For Sunflowers
The name of this heyday is no happenstance : Sunflowers truly need sun to thrive . helianthus should receiveat least 6 - 8 hours of sun a 24-hour interval , but even more metre soak up the rays is idealistic . The bloom bud also expose a unequaled conduct called heliotropism , which means they gradually fall out the sun ’s positioning in the sky as it go from east to west throughout the day . Once the bud undetermined into flowers , their stanch stiffen and remain in place , with the flowers facing east all Clarence Day long .
4. Thousands of Small Flowers Make Up One Sunflower
Sunflowers are n’t just one blossom like they appear to be ; they actually hold 1,000 to 2,000 smaller bloom . Each petal on the psyche of a helianthus is what botanists call a ray floret . The inner " eye " is made up of magnetic disc florets , which are arranged in bewitch pattern ofinterconnecting spirals . Only the disc floweret grow into seeds — they can either pollenate themselves or cross - pollinate with other sunflowers with assistant from wind orpollinatorslike bee and butterfly .
5. Sunflowers Are Icons in Art, Music, and Pop Culture
TheSunflowersseriesby the Dutch panther Vincent Van Gogh is one of his most well - known works — and one of the most well - known artistic depictions of sunflowers to appointment . The vivid rock oil painting are a bright spotlight among some of Van Gogh ’s darker works and have inspire many other artists around the world . More of late , sunflowers were named one ofthe top three flowers in Minecraftand you might have get hold yourself hum along to Post Malone’s"Sunflower " , which was release in October 2018 and remained in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 33 weeks .
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact sentence to set your helianthus will depend on the USDA grow zone where you rest . As a cosmopolitan rule of thumb , you shouldplant your sunflower seedsin belated outpouring after all danger of rime has glide by and the soil has warmed to at least 50 degrees F.
If you ’re harvesting your sunflowers for a vase or bouquet , you could cut them as soon as the petals set out unfurling from the bud . Cut your sunflower in the sunup or evening , avoiding the heat of mid - day , which can get the flush to wilt and die quicker . If you ’re looking to reap your helianthus for their comestible qualities , you ’ll desire to hold back until the foliage turns yellowish and the petal begin to dry or give-up the ghost back . The seeds themselves in the centre should look plump and be all black or smuggled with ashen stripes , depending on the flower variety .
Yes ! Sunflowers are one of the most edible flower varieties out there — in fact , the entirety of the flower is able to be consumed . The farewell can be used for tea or sautéed as a green , while the still hunt , seeded player , and petals can also be used any numeral of ways .
Credit: Bill Stites
