Sunflower

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a large annual forb of the genus Helianthus grown as a crop for its edible oil and edible fruits. This sunflower species is also used as wild bird food, as livestock forage (as a meal or a silage plant), in some industrial applications, and as an ornamental in domestic gardens. The plant was first domesticated in the Americas. Wild Helianthus annuus is a widely branched annual plant with many flower heads. The domestic sunflower, however, often possesses only a single large inflorescence (flower head) atop an unbranched stem. The name sunflower may derive from the flower's head's shape, which resembles the sun.

Description

Sunflower is an annual plant native to the Americas. It possesses a large inflorescence (flowering head), and its name is derived from the flower's shape and image, which is often used to depict the sun. The plant has a rough, hairy stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves and circular heads of flowers. The heads consist of many individual flowers which mature into seeds, often in the hundreds, on a receptacle base.

Cultivation and uses

Sunflowers are cultivated for their edible seeds, which are an important source of oil for cooking and margarine. The seeds are also sold for bird food, and the plants can be used as fodder for livestock. Sunflowers also have ornamental uses and are often planted in gardens for their aesthetic appeal.

History

The sunflower was first domesticated in Mexico and then spread throughout the Americas. It was later introduced to Europe in the 16th century, where it was grown as an ornamental plant and for its oil. Sunflowers are now grown in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia.

See also

• List of sunflower diseases
• Helianthus
• Sunflower oil
• Sunflower seed

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