Helianthus divaricatus L.
Woodland sunflower
Woodland sunflowers are native to North America, a common sight in woodlands that are sparse enough to let in partial sunlight.
Plants: 2–6′ (60–182 cm) high. Stems are smooth, purple or green. These sunflowers spread via their root systems, producing large colonies over time.
Leaves: Leaves are long and usually narrow, wider at the base, tapering to sharp tips, 2–6″ (5–15 cm) long. The rough stiff leaves feel almost sandpapery above, and hairy below.
Flowers: Bright yellow flowers with 8-15 petals and darker yellow centers, are 1½–3″ (3.8–7.6 cm) around, atop long thin stems.
Fruits: Achenes are roughly ovoid and about 1/16″ (2 mm) long, resembling sunflower seeds.
Habitats: Wooded areas with partial shade, savannahs, rocky bluffs; medium moisture, in sandy, rocky, or loamy soils.
Online References:
Helianthus divaricatus L. var. angustifolius Kuntze
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm) 
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 
9/2/2018 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts 
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm) 
8/10/2013 · Stone Arch Bridge Trail, Near Flat Rock Hill, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 4½″ (12 × 11 cm) 
9/2/2018 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts 
7/20/2017 · Douthat State Park, Millboro, Virginia · ≈ 2½ × 2″ (7 × 5.4 cm) 
8/6/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
8/10/2013 · Stone Arch Bridge Trail, Near Flat Rock Hill, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) 
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm) 
8/10/2013 · Stone Arch Bridge Trail, Near Flat Rock Hill, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (14 × 10 cm) 
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts ID is uncertain 
8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) 
7/20/2017 · Douthat State Park, Millboro, Virginia · ≈ 2½ × 2″ (6.5 × 5.9 cm) 
8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm) 
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) 
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 4″ (11 × 10 cm) 
9/2/2018 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts 
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (21 × 14 cm) ID is uncertain 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Asterales | Flowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies |
| Family | Asteraceae | The aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers |
| Genus | Helianthus | From Greek helios, “sun,” and anthos, “flower,” because it was believed that sunflowers turn to follow the sun |
| Species | divaricatus | Latin for “divergent, spreading” |
Helianthus divaricatus description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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