Annual erect plant, usually branched in upper part. Rough to the touch and distinctly green. A shorter plant with more compact flower heads than the common sunflower, H. annuus.
Taprooted, erect annual of green slender stems. Flower heads large, showy; yellow ray and reddish-purple disc flowers; stems are densely hairy just below the flower heads. The receptacle bracts are bearded at their apex especially the center bracts.
Habitat
Roadsides, fields, cultivated land and valley floors. A variety of habitats but especially disturbed areas.
Flower Characteristics
Yellow rays, reddish-purple disc flowers, to 2 inches wide.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Variable, oblong to lance-shaped leaves, often triangular to 2 inches long. Stems hairy. Leaves opposite below, alternate above. Flower head bracts sometimes hairy on margins.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Achenes are lined, faintly mottled, sparsely silky-hairy below, more densely so above; topped with 2 awn-like scales.