Helianthus annuus
Common sunflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Helianthus annuus (Common sunflower) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by size, widespread distribution, and large features.
Common sunflower is a native annual found in California in disturbed areas, scrub, and grassland habitats at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces yellow ray flowers up to 50 millimeters long surrounding a disk with red to purple or yellow flower centers. Growing up to 3 meters tall with rough-hairy stems, it develops a robust and prominent structure in open landscapes. Its large leaves are widely lanceolate to triangular-ovate, typically 10 to 40 centimeters long, with margins ranging from nearly entire to slightly serrated and bristly undersides. The flower heads are typically 1 to 9 per plant, with involucres 1.5 to 4 centimeters in diameter, creating a distinctive and iconic appearance characteristic of this widespread annual.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinguished by size, widespread distribution, and large features
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, scrub, grassland, many other habitats
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: to eastern North America
Bloom period
Helianthus annuus blooms Jun-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Encelia: Helianthus is herbaceous with soft stems; Encelia is a woody shrub with persistent branches.; vs Bahiopsis: Helianthus has soft herbaceous stems; Bahiopsis is woody-based with persistent woody stems.; vs Wyethia: Helianthus has smaller disk flowers and readily falling seed scales; Wyethia has very large 8-12mm disk flowers.; vs Rudbeckia: Helianthus has a flat or rounded yellow center; Rudbeckia has a tall dark cone-shaped center.; vs Venegasia: Helianthus dies back to ground level; Venegasia is a large evergreen shrub in shaded canyons.
Frequently asked questions
Is Helianthus annuus native to California?
Yes. Helianthus annuus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Helianthus annuus bloom?
Helianthus annuus blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Helianthus annuus belong to?
Helianthus annuus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Helianthus.
What habitat does Helianthus annuus grow in?
Helianthus annuus grows in Disturbed areas, scrub, grassland, many other habitats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.