About Helianthus gracilentus A.Gray
Helianthus gracilentus A.Gray, a species of sunflower, has the common name slender sunflower. It is native to central and southern California, ranging from Napa County to San Diego County, and Baja California. In these regions, it grows as a member of both dry wildfire-prone chaparral ecosystems and woodland ecosystems. This plant is a perennial herb that grows from a thick taproot, reaching heights between 0.5 and 2 meters, or 20 to 60 inches. Its leaves are lance-shaped and pointed, with smooth or slightly toothed edges, and can grow up to around 11 centimeters, or 4.4 inches, long. Long, slender stems and foliage are all covered in rough hairs. The plant's inflorescence produces flower heads. Behind the thick center of yellow to red-brown disc florets, these flower heads have an array of short, hairy phyllaries. The golden ray florets that grow around the edge of the flower head are 1 to 3 centimeters, or 0.4 to 1.2 inches, long. Helianthus gracilentus typically flowers from late spring through fall.
