sunflowers are a classic favorite of gardeners and flower enthusiasts alike for their vibrant color and cheerful shape - but what type of flower is a sunflower?
Botanically, sunflowers belong to the asteraceae family and are classified as members of the Helianthus genus. While there many dozens of species within this genus, the beloved sunny flowers we commonly recognize today belong to two well known species: Helianthus annuus and Helianthus tuberosus.
Helianthus annuus is the most prolific species, native to North America but widely cultivated in environments around the world. This variety is easily identified by its tall, thin stem that supports a bloom which can grow up to 3 feet wide with multiple layers of bright yellow petals surrounded by a center of deep brown-black edible seeds.
The second main variety is Helianthus tuberosus, or Jerusalem artichoke. This species features much smaller blooms with slightly different petal lengths—the flowers usually remain between 1½ to 2 inches in diameter. Additionally, this type tends to feature smaller stems and thinner leaves than that of its relative. Though typically found in Europe and native to North America, Jerusalem artichokes have become popular in both countries with commercial cultivation leading to several new varieties being cropping up across both regions.
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