Herb: Wild Sunflower


Latin name: Helianthus lenticularis


Synonyms: Helianthus annuus lenticularis


Family: Compositae



Edible parts of Wild Sunflower:

Seed - raw or cooked. The seed can be dried and ground into a powder then used with cereal flowers in making breads, cakes and rich soups. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. The roasted shells, after the starch has been removed, or the roasted seeds, can be used in preparing a coffee-like beverage.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual


Height:
3 m
(9 3/4 foot)

Habitat of the herb:

Roadsides and waste places in rich soils.

Propagation of Wild Sunflower:

Seed - sow in mid spring in situ. An earlier start can be made by sowing 2 - 3 seeds per pot in a greenhouse in early spring. Use a fairly rich compost. Thin to the strongest seedling, give them an occasional liquid feed to make sure they do not become nutrient deficient and plant them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation of the herb:

Roadsides and waste places in rich soils.

Medicinal use of Wild Sunflower:

None known

Known hazards of Helianthus lenticularis:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.