Sunflower is a tall plant known for its showy yellow flowers. There are more than 60 species of sunflowers. The most common type grows from 3 to 10 feet (1 to 3 meters) tall and has one or more heads of flowers. Each head consists of a disk of small, tubular flowers surrounded by a fringe of large yellow petals. A sunflower head may measure more than 1 foot (30 centimeters) in diameter and produce up to 1,000 seeds. The head turns and faces toward the sun throughout the day.
Sunflower seeds are rich in protein. They yield a high quality vegetable oil used in making margarine and cooking oil. Some varieties of sunflowers have large striped seeds, which are roasted for snack food or blended with other grains to make birdseed. Special oil-seed varieties produce small black seeds that contain up to 50 per cent oil. Sunflower oil is the world's third most important vegetable oil. Only soybean oil and palm oilare produced in greater abundance. Sunflower oil is sometimes used as a replacement for diesel fuel.
Before its breakup, the Soviet Union produced more unflower seeds than any other nation. In the United States, production increased rapidly during the mid1970's as a result of emproved varieties and in response
to a growing demand for sunflower oil. The chief sunflower states are Kansas, Minnesota,North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Sunflowers originated in North America and were in-troduced into Europe during the 1500's. Some species come up every year, but the most common ones must be grown annually from seeds.
Scientific classification.Sunflowers make up the genus Helianthus of the composite family, Asteraceae or Compositae. Thescientific name for the common annual sunflower is H. annuus.
The Indians used to cultivate this sunflower for cattle food, food for themselves, and oil. Today it is sometimes grown in the United States for ensilage, and for its seeds, which are fed to birds and poultry. In Russia a valuable substitute for olive oil is pressed from the seeds. In some parts of Europe, Asia, and Latin America the seeds themselves are eaten like peanuts. Good paper can be made from the heads and stems. A textile fiber is taken from the stalks. A process has been discovered for making sugar from the large tubers of the Jerusalem artichoke, a species of sunflower. The sunflower is a quick grower in light, dry soil. The annual varieties are from seed. These should be planted half an inch deep. Tne perennial varie-ties may be started from cuttings.
See also Types Of Flowers
