Woodland Sunflower
Helianthus divaricatus
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Shenandoah National Park (www.flickr.com) from Virginia
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Helianthus
- Species:
- Helianthus divaricatus
- USDA Symbol:
- HEDI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️maritime borer moth (Papaipema maritima), ⚠️Papaipema necopina (Papaipema necopina), Pelochrista womonana, Tischeria helianthi, orange oakleaf (Charidryas nycteis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Lemon cuckoo (Bombus citrinus) Butterflies:Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Zabulon Skipper (Lon zabulon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire. Common component of fire-maintained oak savannas and dry prairies.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers open woodlands and dry, rocky areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are given 3-4 weeks cool moist stratification in seed cooler.
Establishment: This seed has had poor germination so trays were heavily seeded. No gram weight was recorded.
Source: npn.rngr.net