Sunflower Botanical Name – Helianthus annuus
The botanical name of the sunflower is Helianthus annuus. The generic name is Helianthus and the specific epithet is “annuus” which refers to its growth habit annually, distinguishing it from other perennial sunflower species. The genus name in the binomial nomenclature Helianthus annuus is derived from the Greek words helios, meaning ‘sun‘, and anthos, meaning ‘flower‘.
Sunflowers are dicotyledonous which is a distinguishing property. The leaf veins of these plants have a reticulated pattern. Sunflower thrives in regions with plenty of sunlight and is suitable for short-term crops. The distinguishing feature of the plant is presence of a single stem and a large flower. The capitulum serves as the inflorescence and the flower has bisexual characteristics (anthers and ovary in the same flower).
Botanical Name of Sunflower
The botanical name of the sunflower is Helianthus annuus. The economic importance of sunflower is that it is often cultivated as a crop for its edible oil-rich seeds, which have a high nutritional value. Sunflower is used in cooking, as cattle fodder, and is grown in residential gardens for decorative purposes. One of the characteristics of a sunflower is that it is an annual plant with several flower heads. In this article, we will learn the botanical name of the sunflower and its scientific classification along with the economic importance of sunflower.
Table of Content
- Botanical Name of Sunflower – Helianthus annuus.
- Scientific Classification of Sunflower
- What is a Sunflower?
- Characteristics of Sunflower
- Economic Importance of Sunflower