Asteraceae FAMILY Least Concern

Helianthus giganteus

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Helianthus giganteus is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock and forming a clump of erect stems around 100 - 400cm 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 medicine. Helianthus giganteus is reported to be stable and secure across the majority of its native range. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' 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. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeCentral and eastern N. America - Ontario to Newfoundland, south to Kansas, Mississippi and Georgia

HabitatDamp or rich thickets, swampy woods and clearings[ 43 Title Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition Publication Author Fernald. M. L. Publisher American Book Co.; New York Year 1950 ISBN 0442222505 Description A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America. ]. Ususally found in wet open sites; at elevations from 10 - 600 metres or more[ 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. ].