Helianthus annuus, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1976, Flora Europaea. Volume 4. Plantaginaceae to Compositae (and Rubiaceae), Cambridge University Press : 141

1. H. annuus L. , Sp. Pl. 904 (1753).

Coarse, scabrid-hairy, usually unbranched annual up to 3 m. Leaves 10-40 x 5-35 cm, broadly ovate, the lower cordate at base, usually toothed, 3-veined, petiolate. Capitula up to 30 cm in diameter, usually solitary, more or less nodding. Involucral bracts ovate-oblong, acuminate, ciliate. Receptacle flat or nearly so. Ligules at least 25 mm. Inner florets brownish. Achenes 5-15 mm, hairy. Widely cultivated in E.C. & S.E. Europe for the oil obtained from the achenes', locally naturalized elsewhere from gardens. [Al Au Bu Cz Gr He Hs Hu Ju Rm Rs (W, K, E) Tu.] (North America.)