species 85,167 observations
Common Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Field notes
Supports All
620
native animals
supported in the US
supported in the US
-
Caterpillars
Moths and butterflies raised on it
Painted Lady, Bordered Patch, Virginian Tiger Moth, Corn Earworm Moth
80
-
Specialist bees
Bees whose young are raised on the pollen of it
Carpenter-mimic Leafcutter Bee, Oblique Longhorn Bee, Dark-veined Longhorn Bee, Pugnacious Leafcutter Bee
59
-
Hosted animals
Gall makers, leaf miners and other animals living on or in it
Red Sunflower Seed Weevil, Sunflower Purse Gall Midge, Sawtooth Sunflower Midge, Calycomyza platyptera
5
-
Plant eaters
Animals that feed on it
Lesser Goldfinch, Keeled Treehopper, Eastern Fox Squirrel, White-winged Dove
99
-
Flower visitors
Pollinators and other flower visitors
Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee, Ligated Furrow Bee
374
-
Sheltered animals
Animals that nest or roost in it
Jagged Ambush Bug, Eupelmus, Eastern Red Bat
3
Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Key traits
- Layer
- Herbaceous plants
- Light
- Full sun
- Moisture
- Dry Well drained
- Water use
- Medium
- Drought tolerant
- Yes
- Deer resistant
- Yes
- Habit
- Erect
From NC State Extension, USDA PLANTS and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.