WHERE’S WILDLIFE • WILDFLOWER FIELD GUIDE

Common Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Pronunciation (approximate): hee-lee-AN-thus AN-yoo-us

Yellow rays surround a dark central disk. Explore the photographs below, from flower details to the plant in its surroundings.

Common Sunflower: close view of yellow rays and a dark flower disk. Tap to browse the photo gallery.

NATIVE • WILDFLOWER

At a glance

Family Asteraceae
Life cycle Annual
Blooms Summer–fall
Height 2–10 feet
Habitat Sunny fields, roadsides and other open, disturbed ground

Bloom dates and size vary by region and growing conditions. Native status refers to North America.

Sightings map

Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.

How to recognize it

Key identification clues

Yellow rays surround a dark central disk.
Broad, rough leaves have toothed edges and long stalks.
Wild plants often branch and carry several flower heads.

Where and when to look

Sunny fields, roadsides and other open, disturbed ground. Look for flowers in summer–fall; local conditions affect timing.

Photograph the whole plant

Include the flowers, lower leaves, stem and surrounding vegetation. A single close-up may hide useful identification features.

A closer look

Flower details

Yellow rays surround a dark central disk.

Leaves & stems

Broad, rough leaves have toothed edges and long stalks.

Whole plant & habitat

Wild plants often branch and carry several flower heads.

Field photographs

Browse 14 photographs. Tap any image to enlarge it; use Load more photos for additional views.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): close view of yellow rays and a dark flower disk. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — close view of yellow rays and a dark flower disk.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): branched flowering plant beside water. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — branched flowering plant beside water.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): yellow flower head above a broad leaf. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — yellow flower head above a broad leaf.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): yellow flower heads against blue sky. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — yellow flower heads against blue sky.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): open yellow flower head among buds. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — open yellow flower head among buds.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): yellow rays and dark center against the sky. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — yellow rays and dark center against the sky.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): tall branched stems with flowers and seed heads. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — tall branched stems with flowers and seed heads.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): yellow flower head seen from below. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — yellow flower head seen from below.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): broad green leaf with a toothed edge. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — broad green leaf with a toothed edge.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): flowering plant beside a path and water. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — flowering plant beside a path and water.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): stand of sunflowers along a pond edge. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — stand of sunflowers along a pond edge.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): yellow flower heads and developing buds. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — yellow flower heads and developing buds.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): single yellow flower head against blue sky. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — single yellow flower head against blue sky.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): heart-shaped leaf on a hairy stem. — Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — heart-shaped leaf on a hairy stem.

Range & sightings

Native to North America and widely cultivated and naturalized.

Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.

Keep learning

Practice recognizing Common Sunflower, then explore other flowers in the guide.

Sources & further reading

Original photographs: Where’s Wildlife. Identification and distribution references:

References checked October 2026. Pronunciations are approximate guides; botanical Latin pronunciation varies.

Common Sunflower