Giant Sunflower

Helianthus giganteus

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Basic Information

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

Genus: helianthus

Plant ID (slug): helianthus-giganteus

Numeric ID: 19645

USDA Hardiness: 4-8

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Helianthus giganteus is a PERENNIAL growing to 3.6 m (11ft 10in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from September to October, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

N. America - Maine and Ontario to Saskatchewan, Florida, Louisiana and Colorado.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Seed Edible Uses: Tubers - cooked[95]. A similar taste to Jerusalem artichokes but less productive. The var. 'subtuberosus' is used[1, 177]. Seed - raw or cooked. It can be dried and ground into a powder, then mixed with cornmeal and used for making bread[2, 14, 46, 61, 183]. The seed is very small and fiddly to use[K].