Common Sunflower
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Helianthus annuus
Sunflower Family - Asteraceae
The Texas Common Sunflower is found all over the state. You will see it along fence rows and in open fields. The seeds are of interest to the wild birds. This plant blooms from March through December. It can stand very dry conditions.
Some of the ancient uses of the Sunflower
through history are:
Can be eaten raw or roasted (seeds)
Ground into meal and flour (seeds)
Crushed to make oil (seeds)
yellow dye (pounded petals)
Dyed leaves were smoked by Indians
Medicine for snake bit, cuts and fever by Indians
Kind of an all purpose plant wouldn't you say?
