= KarenSMueller.com
 

Sunflower Trivia - Sunflower Facts for Kids

The sunflower has been identified with the sun, gold, and its image has been worshiped as a god. Here is a slew of sunflower trivia and facts for your science projects, Kids.
  • Sunflowers are actually "composite flowers", or "heads"
  • A sunflowers also has a "neck", the pulvinus
  • Sunflowers have motor cells, in the pulvinus, which move the head so it faces the sun
  • Heliotropism is the term for this plant characteristic of moving its head
  • Sunflower "faces" follow the sun east to west through the sky and return at night to face the east, ready for the morning sun
  • Heliotropism only occurs during early stages before the florets form seeds
  • Sunflowers typically reach a height of 8 to 12 feet (2.5-3.5 m)
  • Their peak height is related to their growing conditions, including planting depth and timing
  • Sunflowers are native to the Americas, which means they were first found in the Americas and the seeds were then carried to and planted in other parts of the world
  • 25 feet tall sunflowers have been grown in Ontario, Canada
  • Sunflowers are the state flower of Kansas, USA
  • Sunflowers are the city flower of Kitakyushu, Japan
  • The Incas used the image of the sunflower as their Sun God

  • Sunflower head is a composite pattern of florets (leaves and petals) grown with mathematical precision
  • The florets pattern is complex - it encorporates a golden angle, Fibonacci numbers, a golden ratio, the constant 137.5 angle and forms successive spirals which switch direction and density in Fibonacci precision, a form of Fermat's spiral
  • Sunflower's binomial name is Helianthus annuus
  • Scientific classification in the Plantae Kingdom:
    Magnoliopsida, Asterales, Asteraceae, Helianthus, H. annuus
    (Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species - remember that from Freshman Biology?)

  • "Wild sunflowers" are the ones with multiple flowers, but they are becoming popular with gardeners, and now cultivated for varieties of seeds
  • Sunflower colors can range from yellow to orange to reds, maroons and browns (Sunflower colors I enjoyed here in August '08).

    • AddThis Social Bookmark Button

    See my
    Gardening Tips
    on
    Qassia

    Thanks for Your Emails:
    "Love your site & all your flowers! I can't imagine the time spent...don't know how you have time to give us all the info on your site! I don't know if you answer questions or not but I have one for you.

    I am trying to grow sunflowers (mini mostly) for my nephews wedding in Sept. They are just starting to bloom(Aug). Should I be taking off that first top bloom? And if so do I let it bloom then take it off or take it off as a bud? I am hoping these are going to last til then. They are just starting to bloom. Thanks for any advice you can give!"

    Julie in PA

    ->"I would leave the top bloom alone for now, but when the yellow petals drop, then cut it cleanly off above the next joint/bloom. In fact, by the end of Sept, you may need to cut a few off. This, of course, is assuming you have the "wild" sunflower with blooms on each branch. You should already see the secondary flower heads starting, if you have the wild type. ---- I hope you have the wild type, because the single head sunflower won't work. GOOD LUCK!"

    -->"Thank you so much for replying & soooo fast! I do have the "wild" type & am seeing many secondary heads coming.

    Once again...thanks for your advice. Keep your fingers crossed!"


    -----------------
    "Subject: I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE!

    My sister Karen sent your website to me today. Alas, I have found another person whose home looks like a nursery!
    See the pics she sent here.

    Thanks for your hints! I have two grown daughters but my flowers are my "babies".

    Emily

    Thanks Again! -Karen



    About TheSunflowerLady Links
    Green Forest Websites - Copyright 2007-2008 - All Rights Reserved