About Helianthus divaricatus L.
Helianthus divaricatus L., commonly known as the rough sunflower, woodland sunflower, or rough woodland sunflower, is a North American perennial herb species in the family Asteraceae. It is native to central and eastern North America, ranging north to Ontario and Quebec, south to Florida and Louisiana, and west to Oklahoma and Iowa. Helianthus divaricatus most often grows in dry, relatively open sites. Its showy yellow flowers bloom from summer through early fall. This woodland sunflower is similar to Helianthus hirsutus, but differs by having a rough stem. It reaches up to 1.5 m tall, and bears short-stalked, lanceolate to oval leaves that are 1–8 cm wide with toothed margins. Its flowers have 8 to 15 ray florets, each 1.5 to 3 cm (0.6-1.2 inches) long, that surround an orange or yellowish brown central disk. This plant attracts both birds and butterflies. The Latin specific epithet divaricatus means spreading in a straggling manner.
