About Helianthus niveus (Benth.) Brandegee
Helianthus niveus (Benth.) Brandegee is a sunflower species with the common names showy sunflower and snowy sunflower. It is native to northern Mexico, specifically the states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur, as well as the Southwestern United States, including Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas. This is a taprooted sunflower that can be an annual or a perennial, and reaches a maximum height of over 1 meter (40 inches). Its leaves are oval or lance-shaped, frequently marked with irregular lobes or teeth, and the whole leaf surface is covered in soft, white hairs. Its flower heads have a fringe of 13 to 21 bright yellow ray florets that can grow up to 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long. These ray florets surround a central cluster of disc florets that range in color from yellow to purple-red. Helianthus niveus grows in sandy soils, and occurs most often in sand dune habitats.
