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Silverleaf Sunflower
(Helianthus argophyllus)
Asteraceae
This gorgeous plant grows in sandy
areas near (and on) the beach. It can even tolerate
some salty spray. The young leaves are covered with
a long, soft white hair that makes the young plants
very attractive. Scientists have harvested genes from
this hardy Texas native to make commercially grown sunflowers
stronger. The seeds of this native are smaller than
those of the commercial sunflower, but are still edible
for humans as well as birds. Seed-eating birds relish
them. Silverleaf sunflower hybrizes naturally with the
Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus).
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Tags:
native Texas wildflower, annual, herb,
coastal, saline conditions, late summer flowers, fall
flowersw, full sun, large flowers, Compositae, yellow
flowers, seed-eating birds, larval host (Bordered patch
and Silvery checkerspot), butterflies, attractive foliage,
propagate by seed, silver-leaf sunflower, silver leaf
sunflower
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