On the first leg of our trip, across the bottom of Mississippi, up through Louisiana and into Texas, highways were lined with sunflowers, varieties of goldenrod, Mistflower, and golden asters. The Mistflower, as well as Flat-topped Goldenrod and Stokes Aster were easy to pick out. At rest stops and exit ramps I was able to identify Buffalo Bur, Camphorweed and Grass-leaved Golden Aster. The rest of the wildflowers, racing by at 70 mph, would have to be part of the scenery. In Texas, as we neared Oklahoma, a new sunflower entered the mix, becoming more abundant once we crossed the border.
Pulling over for a brief inspection, a few photos, and thumb-licking page-turning of a couple field guides, I was quickly able to identify this heavily-flowered species of sunflower. It was Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximilianii, a native perennial associated with the bluegrass prairie.
This gorgeous sunflower lined miles and miles of highway, the upper half of its stalk crowded with flower heads much like Hollyhock. Growing from Saskatchewan and Manitoba to Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, it can be found on exposed rocky slopes and dry prairies. It also grows in moister areas, often in sandy soil. Populations of the flower found further east are either recent introductions, or garden escapees. Because it is eaten by livestock, and because of its heavy seed production, it is a highly desirable range plant, valuable to wildlife.
Maximilian Sunflowers grow to 10’. The flower heads of yellow ray and disk flowers are up to 4” in diameter. It has long - up to 12” - leaves, which are very narrow and stiff, and taper at both ends. The leaves are rough on both sides, often folded lengthwise, and curve downward at the tips. The leaves are abut 2” wide.
A similar sunflower, Willow-leaved Sunflower (H. salicifolius), has reddish disk flowers and much narower leaves, only about 1/2” wide. It grows in limestone prairies in eastern Kansas, western Missouri, and northeastern Oklahoma.
Maximilian Sunflower is named for Prince Maximilian of Wied Neuwied who, after reaching the rank of major-general in the Prussian army, devoted his life to exploration and natural history. He lead an expedition into the American West in the early 1830’s, spending a winter in North Dakota with the Mandan and Minnetaree Indians.
Go To Page: 1 2
