Taxonomy
Helianthus annuus | Sunflower
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not protected
Native status
Neophyte
Species Biology
Habitat
Waste ground,rubbish tips,roadsides, more rarely on lakeshores and estuaries
Life cycle
Annual
Ex-situ conservation
Living collection in the National Botanic Garden.
Use
Food crop
Vegetative nature
Herbaceous
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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Further information
Sunflower probably originated in the southwestern part of North America, its seed has been utilised as food by North American Indians for thousands of years. There is evidence of cultivation as early as 900BC. The plant was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Its seed contains 27-40 per cent of polyunsaturated oil and 13-20 per cent protein of high biological value. Roasted sunflower seeds are a popular snack in Russia; the taste for them is rapidly gaining popularity around the globe.