About Helianthus laciniatus A.Gray
Helianthus laciniatus, commonly called alkali sunflower, is a North American sunflower species. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically in southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and western Texas, as well as in north-central Mexico in the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Durango. It is fairly common in the Chihuahuan Desert. This species is a perennial herb that can grow up to 200 cm, almost 7 feet, tall. Most of its leaves grow along the stem, rather than being clustered near the ground, and each leaf can reach up to 9 cm, 2.7 inches, long. A single plant typically produces 1 to 9 flower heads. Each flower head holds 14–20 yellow ray florets, which surround 40 or more red or purple disc florets. Helianthus laciniatus grows in dry, alkaline desert soils.
