Kingdom Plantae Genus Helianthus Higher classification Sunflowers | Order Asterales Scientific name Helianthus occidentalis Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Sunflowers, Helianthus grosseserratus, Daisy family, Helianthus divaricatus, Helianthus hirsutus | ||
Helianthus occidentalis (fewleaf sunflower or western sunflower) is a species of sunflower native to the eastern and central United States. It grows mostly in the Great Lakes Region and in the Ozarks, with additional populations scattered as far as Massachusetts, Texas, and the Florida Panhandle.
Helianthus occidentalis differs from other, similar species by its sparse leaves, most of which are crowded around the lower part of the stem. This perennial plant reaches heights from two to five feet (60-150 cm). It produces one to several yellow flower heads, each with 8-14 ray florets surrounding more than 50 disc florets.
The word occidentalis means "western" in Latin. The plant was first described in 1836, at which time the Great Lakes Region was considered the western part of the United States.
