Herb: Prairie Sunflower


Latin name: Helianthus petiolaris


Family: Compositae



Medicinal use of Prairie Sunflower:

The powdered leaves, either on their own or in an ointment, have been used as a dressing for sores and swellings.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual


Height:
3 m
(9 3/4 foot)

Flowering:
July to
September

Habitat of the herb:

Sandy soils. Dry prairies.

Edible parts of Prairie Sunflower:

Seed - raw or cooked. An oily texture. The seed can be ground into a powder and kneaded into seed butter.

Propagation of the herb:

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 Prairie Sunflower:

Sandy soils. Dry prairies.

Known hazards of Helianthus petiolaris:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.