The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a tall (sometimes over two meters) annual herb of the family Compositae with an erect, sometimes branched hairy stem. The leaves are numerous, large and cordate, opposite below and alternate and long-stalked above. The large, terminal showy flowerheads are composed of yellow ray-florets. The fruit is a slightly flattened achene, often streaked with white and black and eaten when roasted in the Mediterranean like peanuts. Sunflower is native to the western USA and was introduced to Europe around the 16th century and was first cultivated as a food plant in Russia. Research Sunflower
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Abbreviations
Nature
Research Sunflower
