Helianthus radula plant

Family – Asteraceae

Helianthus_radula_stem

Pubescence of the flowering scape.

Leaves

Helianthus radula basals

Basal leaves.

Inflorescence: N/A

Involucre

Helianthus radula involucre

Ray flowers: Absent.

Disk flowers

Helianthus_radula_flowers
Helianthus radula fruits

Fruiting head.

Flowering – August – October.

Habitat – Wet flatwoods, savannahs, pine barrens.

Origin – Native to North America.

Other information – This species can be found in just a handful of southern Alabama counties. The plant is simple to identify because of its rayless flowerheads and rounded basal leaves. The scape is scabrous due to the pustulate bases of the hairs on it.

The genus name Helianthus derives from the Greek “helio” meaning “sun” and “anth(us)” meaning “flower.”

The species eipthet radula derives from the Latin “radul(a)” meaning “scraper” referring to the scabrous scape.

Source: Alabama plants

Alabama Distribution

Helianthus radula map

Photographs taken at Conecuh National Forest, AL., 10-23-04.

Ben McInerney
Author: Ben McInerney - Ben is a qualified arborist with 15 plus years of industry experience in Arboriculture. He ran a successful tree service before turning to writing and publishing. Ben is dedicated to providing users with the most accurate up-to-date information on everything trees.