Helianthus × laetiflorus is a naturally occurring hybrid, Helianthus pauciflorus × Helianthus tuberosus[].

Common Name: Showy Sunflower

General Information

Helianthus laetiflorus is a herbaceous perennial plant spreading by means of a rhizomatous rootstock and sometimes forming large clumps; it can grow up to 200cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central and eastern N. America - Ontario to Quebec, south to Texas and Gerogia

Habitat

Open woods and thickets, often on drier soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position[]. Requires a rich soil[]. Dislikes shade[].
The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, plants can be totally destroyed by them[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].
Plants have a running root system and can be very invasive[].
This species is often grown as an ornamental plant, there are several named varieties[].

Edible Uses

Tubers - raw or cooked[, , ]. Used like Jerusalem artichokes, to which they are not much inferior in taste though yields are lower[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.