About Helianthus praecox Engelm. & A.Gray
Helianthus praecox Engelm. & A.Gray, commonly called Texas sunflower, is a North American sunflower species. It is endemic to the state of Texas in the United States, with most of its populations located along the Gulf Coast or in the Río Grande Valley. This species grows in sandy soils and coastal prairies. It is an annual herb that can reach up to 150 cm (5 feet, 60 inches) tall. A single plant usually produces between 1 and 3 flower heads. Each flower head holds 11 to 16 yellow ray florets, which surround 35 or more red or purple disc florets. Three subspecies are recognized: Helianthus praecox subsp. hirtus (Heiser) Heiser, found near Carrizo Springs in Dimmit County; Helianthus praecox subsp. praecox, which grows on sandy soils along the coast in Galveston County and Brazoria County; and Helianthus praecox subsp. runyonii (Heiser) Heiser, found in coastal prairies from Calhoun County to Cameron County and in the Río Grande Valley from Webb County to Cameron County.
