Cusick's sunflower (Helianthus cusickii)

Family: Asteraceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Helianthus cusickii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Edible Portion: Seeds, Roots. The roots are peeled and eaten raw. — Edible Portion: Seeds, Roots.; The roots are peeled and eaten raw.; Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: protein-oil (The term staple crop typically refers to a food that is eaten routinely and accounts for a dominant part of people's diets in a particular region of the world).; Perennial crops are being developed for their oil-seed.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry grassy slopes, open woodland, mountain forests and foothills. Elevation: 1050-1300m. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)