Common Name: Maximillian Sunflower

General Information

Helianthus maximiliani is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; it produces a clump of erect stems around 50 - 300cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. There has been some research into its potential as an oil-seed crop in permaculture systems and at least one cultivar has been developed[]. It is grown as an ornamental, valued for its attractive and showy floral displays[].
Helianthus maximiliani is widespread and stable in most of its range across North America. Furthermore, it is subject to ex situ conservation and passive in situ conservation within its native range. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central N. America - Minnesota and Manitoba to Saskatchewan, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas.

Habitat

Rich prairies[], usually on drier soils[]. Low moist areas, roadsides and prairies in Texas, often forming large colonies; usually at elevations up to 300 metres, occasionally to 2,100 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.40 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[].
At least one named form has been developed. Called 'Prairie Gold', it is being investigated by the Land Institute in Salina, Kansas for its oil-seed potential in a non-tillage permaculture system[]. The yield of edible tubers is not very high.
This species is closely related to Helianthus giganteus[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].
Plants have a running root system and can be invasive[].

Edible Uses

Tubers - raw or cooked[, , , ]. Similar in flavour to Jerusalem artichokes, but lower yielding.

Seed - raw or cooked[].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used for environmental purposes such as for erosion control and as a revegetator[].

Other Uses

This species is a tertiary wild relative of the cultivated Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, and has already been used to confer broomrape resistance and cytoplasmic male sterility to sunflower. It is also a Taxon Group two wild relative of the Jerusalem Artichoke Helianthus tuberosus[].

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.