Stiff Sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus)

Family: Asteraceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Perennial sunflowers have protein and oil-rich seeds. Perennial crops are being developed for their oil-seed. The Land Institute see them as part of a perennial polyculture system . Several perennial sunflowers are being worked with including prairie natives handling boreal to warm temperate semi-arid conditions: Helianthus maximliani (Maximilian sunflower), Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke), Helianthus pauciflorus (Stiff sunflower).

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

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) . — 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.; The Land Institute see them as part of a perennial polyculture system .

Habitat & North American Range

Dry to moderately wet prairies and open areas. Subspecies Helianthus pauciflorus subsp. subrhomboideus occurs in dry, open habitats. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7)