Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Savanna Sunflower
(Pale-Leaved Sunflower)
Helianthus strumosus
[C-value
5]
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms August -
mid-September
The native Savanna Sunflower is common in our area. It prefers partial sun or dappled sunlight and medium-moist to dry soil. Habitats include open upland woodlands and woodland and thicket edges. This vigorous perennial is 3-6' tall with a stout erect stem branching toward the top. Its rough lance-shaped leaves are up to 8" long and whitish underneath on 3/8-1¼" petioles. Yellow compound flowerheads occur in loose clusters at branch tips. Each flowerhead is 2-4" across with 8 to 20 yellow ray florets surrounding numerous yellow disk florets in a central disk.
Savanna Sunflower at Lyon Forest Preserve August 15, 2013
Savanna Sunflower at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve August 15, 2012
Savanna Sunflower along trail at Lyon Forest Preserve August 2, 2015
Savanna Sunflower fall seedheads at Lyon Forest Preserve October 31, 2014
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