Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Showy Sunflower (Cheerful Sunflower)
Helianthus lactiflorus
[C-value
8]
Aster
family (Asteraceae)
Blooms mid-July -
September
The native Showy Sunflower is uncommon in our area. It prefers full sun and medium-moist to dry loamy soil. Habitats include dry prairie remnants and sunny edges of upland woodlands. This perennial is 3-6' tall with a scratchy stem and oval-shaped leaves with prominent parallel venation. Its compound flowers have about 15 bright yellow rays (petals) surrounding numerous purplish disk florets with yellow thread-like styles.
Showy Sunflower at Lyon Forest Preserve August 28, 2012
Click here for more information.
Copyright © 2011-2017 by Kendall County Forest Preserve District. All Rights Reserved.