Sunflower Facts
Some Interesting Sunflower Facts
The sunflower originated in North America and there are so many other interesting sunflower facts surrounding this flowering plant. Even though it is native to America, it is the national flower in Russia and it is thought that the Soviet Union actually produces the most sunflowers. It was first used by the Indians for food and oil and early farmers fed their cattle with it. Now it is grown most frequently to be used for cooking oil, snacks and bird seed. Along with other sunflower facts, the sunflower plant grows at an alarming rate. They can grow to reach 12 foot in height in six short months.
The helianthus annuus or sunflower is an annual plant. It has an extremely long, light green stem and on top of every stem is a flower. But it really isn’t considered a flower. It is a number of florets held tightly together. The florets that are visible on the outer edges of the head are bright yellow, maroon or orange. The inner florets are called discs and as the plant matures they eventually turn into sunflower seeds. These seeds are actually the fruit this plant produces and there can be up to 2000 flower heads that form into one sunflower.
Sunflower seeds are very healthy and they are loaded with vitamins, minerals and calcium. They are high in fiber and they contain 164 calories per ounce of seeds. They are a great way to get a burst of energy because they contain 6 grams of carbohydrates. Sunflower seeds also have 6 grams of protein per ounce and protein builds muscles within the body. There is a high amount of fat in sunflower seeds but it is polyunsaturated and this is actually good for the body.
Another choice for interesting sunflower facts is that the plant moves the head throughout the day. This is called heliotropism and this means that the plant’s head moves and tracks the movements of the sun. In the early morning the heads of the sunflower are facing east and at night the head turns toward the west. By the next morning the head of the plant will again be facing east. The motor cells in the pulvinus control this action and it is located on the stem just below the bud. When the plant is producing blooms they freeze while facing the east, losing their heliotropic capacity.
Since the flower head moves to meet with the sun, the stem will usually bend toward it. The sun also regulates the plants growth and when there is unequal sun lighting, auxin accumulates in the shaded side of the head. Because of the auxin, the sunlit side will actually grow slower than the darkened side of the head.
Many people already know most of the sunflower facts, which is why they choose to keep them in their garden. They are attractive and add color to any area and they attract birds and other insects to your yard. They only take 90 to 100 days to fully mature and the seeds can be eaten as snacks or you can let birds and squirrels enjoy your fruit.
If you were thinking of keeping a sunflower plant in your garden, there are a few good tips to follow. You should plant your sunflower in direct sunlight. It follows the sun and the sun also helps the plant to produce healthy stems and more blooms and fruit. Since the stems are longer and grow in an upward position, you will only need to space the plants a foot apart. It can help the plant to fertilize the soil before planting. It enjoys a mix of mildly acidic to neutral soil.