Helianthus neglectus Heiser
Family: Asteraceae
Neglected Sunflower
Helianthus neglectus image

Annuals, 80-200 cm. Stems erect (leafy), ± hispid to glabrate. Leaves cauline; alternate; petioles 7-12 cm; blades deltate-ovate, 7-14 × 7.5-12.3 cm, bases usually ± cordate, sometimes truncate , margins subentire to serrulate, abaxial faces strigose, not gland-dotted. Heads 1-5. Peduncles 10-40 cm. Involucres ± hemispheric, (23-28 ×) 10-14 mm. Phyllaries 25-35, lanceolate, 14-25 × 2.3-4 mm (surpassing discs), apices long-attenuate, abaxial faces strigillose to hispid. Paleae 9-10 mm, 3-toothed (middle teeth ± ciliate or bearded, hairs whitish, 0.3-0.6 mm). Ray florets 21-31; laminae 29-39 mm. Disc florets 150+; corollas 6-6.5 mm, lobes reddish; anthers dark, appendages purplish (style branches reddish). Cypselae 4-5 mm, strigillose to glabrate ; pappi of 2 aristate scales 2.8-3.2 mm. 2n = 34.

Flowering summer-fall. Sandy soils, sand dunes; of conservation concern; 800-1100 m; N.Mex., Tex.