Helianthus anomalus

Botanical Description

Helianthus anomalus is an erect, annual plant growing 25 - 60cm tall[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and cosmetic. The edible seed is a good source of oil and has been suggested as a potential commercial crop in arid regions. It is closely related to both the annual sunflower (Helinathus annuus) and the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and has potential for use in breeding programmes[ 2205 Title Hopi Protection of Helianthus anomalus, a Rare Sunflower Publication The Southwestern Naturalist, Vol. 28, No. 2 (May 20, 1983), pp. 231-235 Author Nabhan G.P. & Reichhardt K.L. Website https://doi.org/10.2307/3671392 Publisher Year 1983 ISBN Description ]. Helianthus anomalus was only found to occur in two localities after a survey in 2000, a dramatic decrease from the 25 localities found in 1983, with one subpopulation containing 200 individuals and the other containing 250 (i.e. fewer than 1,000 mature individuals in total). As this species is thought to occur in only two localities, and such dramatic declines in subpopulations having been recorded, it is possible that these two localities are under threat. However, more information is required to confirm this. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].