Helianthus floridanus
Fl. South. U.S. ed. 2, 629. 1883.
Perennials, 100–200 cm (rhizomatous). Stems (green) erect, hispid to hispidulous. Leaves cauline; usually opposite or alternate, rarely whorled; petioles 0–1 cm; blades (1-nerved or 3-nerved) lanceolate to elliptic or lanceovate, 4–15 × 0.5–6 cm, bases rounded to cuneate, margins entire or serrulate (often undulate, often ± revolute), faces ± scabrous to tomentulose and glanddotted (abaxial) or scabrous (adaxial). Heads 1–6. Peduncles 2–15 cm. Involucres ± hemispheric, 12–19 × 7–9 mm. Phyllaries 33–38, lanceolate, 5–9 × 1.5–3 mm, apices (at least outer) obtuse, abaxial faces hispidulous to hispid, glanddotted. Paleae 4.5–6 mm, entire or weakly 3-toothed (apices purplish, glabrate to puberulent, often glanddotted). Ray-florets 10–20; laminae 20–25 mm (abaxial faces glanddotted). Disc-florets 90+; corollas 4–5 mm, lobes usually reddish, sometimes yellow; anthers dark-brown or black, appendages dark (style-branches yellow). Cypselae 2.5–3 mm, glabrous; pappi of 2 aristate scales 1.5–2.2 mm. 2n = 34.
Phenology: Flowering late summer to fall.
Habitat: Sandy, open areas
Elevation: 0–50 m
Distribution
Ala., Fla., Ga., La., N.C., S.C.
Discussion
Helianthus floridanus is similar to and intergrades with H. angustifolius, which has narrower leaves, and H. simulans, which is more robust and has longer leaves without undulate margins.
Selected References
None.