Are Sunflowers A Michigan Native Crop?

The Black-eyed Susan is a popular and iconic wildflower in the United States, native to Michigan. It comes from the Rudbeckiagenus in the aster or daisy family (Asteraceae). The flowers have bright yellow ray petals that surround a dark brown central center. This sunflower grows in full to partial sun and mid-range soil moisture, neither very wet nor very dry. It occurs naturally in a diverse range of habitats, including dry sandy ground such as oak woods and along river banks.

The Common Sunflower is a favorite among most cultures and can be seen throughout late summer into early fall. Its stunning large yellow petals flow into the dark brown center. PLANT IT WILD is an independent, non-profit with 501 (c) status, native plant group based in Benzie and Manistee counties in Michigan.

Sunflowers are native to Michigan, with Helianthus divaricatus L. being a notoriously difficult genus native to North America. It occurs naturally in a diverse range of habitats, including dry sandy ground, fields, roadsides, clearings, and more. The Biota of North America Program (BONAP) lists it as native to Michigan, but it is more likely native in Minnesota.

The Western sunflower is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan, which flowers from July to September with a yellow blossom. It is native to central and eastern North America, from Ontario and Quebec in the north, south to Florida and Louisiana, and west to Oklahoma and Iowa.

What month do sunflowers bloom in Michigan?

Sunflower season in Michigan is mid-June, with planting done in West Michigan. According to the Michigan State University Extension, sunflowers can bloom from August into September. Gorby Sunflowers are officially selling sunflowers, but the north field hasn’t bloomed yet. To view pictures, wait for at least another week. Keep an eye on your favorite flower field’s social media accounts as they could pop at any moment.

Are sunflowers native to the Midwest?

Sunflowers are a fast-growing, vigorous crop that can be grown organically or commercially. However, most farmers use herbicides for their growth, including pre-plant or pre-emerge products with residual control such as Spartan, Treflan, Prowl, Eptan, Sonalan, or Dual Magnum. Post-emerge products for grass control include Select, Assure, and Poast. For post-emerge broadleaf control, cultivation or use of herbicide-resistant varieties like Clearfield or ExpressSun (both non-GMO) are recommended.

For no-till sunflower production, herbicide-resistant Clearfield or ExpressSun varieties with herbicides outlined above or a Spartan/Prowl tank mix with Roundup (for burndown) prior to planting is typically used. If tilling, Spartan can still be used, or one of the herbicides that requires incorporation such as Treflan, Eptam, Sonalan, or Dual Magnum. Commercial hybrid sunflowers are unlikely to become a weed issue, as most sunflower seeds left on the ground after harvest are likely to be eaten by birds and rodents before the next growing season.

Diseases in commercial sunflower fields in Missouri do not generally have major issues, except in wet, saturated soil conditions. The best strategy is to avoid bottom ground areas that have a history of being wet in the summer. Insects that may eat sunflower leaves and seeds are not an economic problem in Missouri. The primary important insect pest to watch for is the sunflower head moth, which lays eggs on the backside of the sunflower heads and hatches larvae that feed inside the seed head. Treatment for the moth needs to be time-sensitive and prevent egg laying. Regular scouting of fields is necessary to determine if spraying is needed.

Are wild sunflowers rare?

Helianthus schweinitzii, also known as Schweinitz’s sunflower, is a rare perennial wildflower found in the Piedmont physiographic province of North Carolina and South Carolina. It belongs to the sunflower family and is common along utility and highway rights-of-way. The species has only about 90 known populations, many containing less than 40 plants each. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed Schweinitz’s sunflower as an endangered species in 1991.

The species was first mentioned by botanists John Torrey and Asa Gray in 1842 and is named after Lewis David von Schweinitz, a Salem, North Carolina clergyman and botanist. The sunflower grows from 3 to 13 feet tall, producing tubers and rhizomes underground. Its purple stems are solitary, branching only at or above mid-stem, and its thick, stiff leaves droop towards the end. It flowers for two to three weeks in early October.

Are sunflowers native to South America?

The sunflower, a genus of nearly 70 species of herbaceous plants, is native to North and South America and is cultivated for its spectacular size, flower heads, and edible seeds. Some species are cultivated as ornamentals, such as the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), which is known for its edible underground tubers. The common sunflower (H. annuus) is an annual herb with a rough hairy stem and broad, coarsely toothed leaves. The attractive heads of flowers are 7.

5-15 cm wide in wild specimens and often 30 cm or more in cultivated types. The fruit is a single-seeded achene, with oilseed varieties having small black achenes and confection varieties having larger black-and-white achenes that easily separate from the seed.

Can sunflowers grow in Michigan?

Sunflowers are known to flourish in muck soils in southern Michigan, with maturation occurring within a period of 115-130 days, contingent on the specific variety and the prevailing growing season. Young plants demonstrate resilience to frost damage.

Did sunflowers come from Europe or America?

The commercial sunflower, native to North America, has been cultivated by indigenous tribes for over 4, 500 years. Native Americans cultivated the sunflower from its original bushy, multi-headed type to produce a single-stemmed plant with a large flower. The sunflower’s multiple uses include flour milling, meal production, and granola. Seeds were also roasted and eaten whole, and sunflower oil was extracted for cooking. The sunflower’s multi-national effort spans continents and thousands of years.

What is the sunflower capital of America?

South Dakota is a top sunflower producer, making late summer an ideal time to witness the stunning yellow fields that stretch endlessly. Sunflowers bloom in late July or early August and stay brilliant for about 30 days. Young pre-bloom plants track the sun throughout the day and turn back to the east overnight to catch the morning sunlight. As the heads become heavier, the flowers stay facing the east.

The exact locations of sunflower fields are constantly changing due to weather and crop rotation. Some stretches of highway, like Highway 34 west of Pierre and Highway 14 from Hayes to Wall, are consistent, but exploring for yourself is the best way to appreciate the beauty of nature.

What US state grows the most sunflowers?

Sunflower production in the United States is primarily concentrated in several states, with North Dakota leading with 1. 1 billion pounds and South Dakota contributing 817. 2 million pounds. These Great Plains states leverage their expansive lands and favorable growing conditions to drive the nation’s sunflower supply. Beyond the Great Plains, Minnesota and Texas contribute 132 million pounds and 61.

3 million pounds, respectively, due to their diverse agricultural landscapes and adept farming practices. Nebraska, California, Kansas, and Colorado collectively contribute millions of pounds, highlighting the widespread cultivation of sunflowers across various regions.

Which state is the sunflower state?

Kansas is known as the sunflower state due to its ideal climate and diverse soils. Sunflowers, native to North America, thrive in Kansas, where they can be found in every county. They require abundant sunshine and can survive in various environments, such as soils, clays, and sands. Sunflowers also play a crucial role in the ecosystem, providing a tasty snack for animals like squirrels, rabbits, and deer. Insects like bees and butterflies pollinate the flowers, while cattle benefit from sunflowers as an ingredient in feeds.

Which US state has the most sunflowers?

Sunflower production in the United States is primarily concentrated in several states, with North Dakota leading with 1. 1 billion pounds and South Dakota contributing 817. 2 million pounds. These Great Plains states leverage their expansive lands and favorable growing conditions to drive the nation’s sunflower supply. Beyond the Great Plains, Minnesota and Texas contribute 132 million pounds and 61.

3 million pounds, respectively, due to their diverse agricultural landscapes and adept farming practices. Nebraska, California, Kansas, and Colorado collectively contribute millions of pounds, highlighting the widespread cultivation of sunflowers across various regions.

Where are sunflowers native to in the US?

The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an open land species that can be found in a variety of habitats, including prairies, grasslands, old fields, roadsides, railroad rights-of-way, savannas, and forest edges. It is native to the central and southern United States, with the possibility of also occurring in Mexico.