Ah Sunflower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the sun;
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done;
William Blake
Name
The Latin name for sunflowers is Helianthus, which derives from the name Helios who was the Greek god of the sun. The suffix –anthos mean flower. It rarely happens that the Latin name for a plant and the vernacular name for a plant come together as it does in the case of a sunflower. Clearly, there is no better name for a brilliant yellow flower that seems to worship the sun.
The sunflower’s method of tracking the sun is paralleled in Greek mythology. Helios was drowned by the Titans but he then rose and became the sun. Clytie, a mortal, loved Helios so much that her envy of her sister, whom Helios loved, resulted in her burying her sister alive. Clytie died of envy and despair. She was then rooted in the spot of her despair to follow Helios course through the sky everyday.
History
Sunflowers come from the Americas. They probably originated in Mexico. They were introduced to Europe in the 16th century. However, sunflowers were primarily used as a decorative plant until the mid-1900s when Russians began to cultivate them as an oil crop.
Description
Sunflowers can grow to be very tall, some varieties grow up to fifteen feet tall. However, today you can find dwarf varieties that are only two or three feet tall. Sunflowers stand straight and have hairy leaves. Traditionally, the blossoms have large dark centers surrounded by brilliant yellow petals. Hybridization has produced many different colors of sunflowers from a lime color ranging through to a deep maroon. There are also varieties of sunflowers with doubled petals, some have so many petals that the traditional dark eye is obscured.
Cultivation
Sunflowers are easy to grow. They need full sunlight. Sunflowers will grow in any soil that drains well. Tall varieties should be staked to prevent them from toppling during high winds.
Uses
Culinary
- Sunflower seeds are a popular snack.
- Sunflower oil is healthier than many other cooking oils and often used for cooking and salad dressings.
- Sunflower oil is also an ingredient in some margarines.
Medicinal:
- The sunflower’s seeds and oil are high in vitamin E, anti-oxidants, and polyunsaturates (especially linoleic acid).
- Sunflower oil can also be used in lotions and shampoos.
Other:
- Sunflowers are beautiful in bouquets.
- Sunflowers are an important source of birdseed. Sunflowers planted in the garden will attract flocks of birds.
Sources:
Houdret, Jessica. Practical Herb Garden. Hermes House, 2002.
Treasury of Gardening. Publications International, Ltd. 2001.
Wells, Diana. 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 1997.
