Helianthus : Here Comes The Sunflowers

The common name “sunflower” typically refers to the popular annual species Helianthus annuus, whose round flower heads in combination with the ligules look like the sun. Sunflowers originated in the Americas and were first domesticated in what is now Mexico and the Southern United States. Sunflower seeds have been found in Mexico, dating to 2100 BC, and Native American people grew sunflowers as a crop from Mexico to Southern Canada. In the 16th century the first crop breeds were brought from America to Europe by explorers.

During growth, sunflowers tilt during the day to face the sun but stop once they begin blooming. This tracking of the sun in young sunflower heads is called heliotropism. By the time they are mature, sunflowers generally face east. As such they are definitely the happiest looking flowers in the garden, constantly smiling at the sun. As the weight of their heads begins to overcome them, they continue smiling even as they lose their hair all over the floor, until they sit waiting to be picked clean by the birds.