Helianthus cusickii

Helianthus cusickii is a species of sunflower known by the common names Cusick's sunflower and turniproot sunflower. It is native to the western United States from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, northern California, and northwestern Nevada.[1][2][3]

Helianthus cusickii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Helianthus
Species:
H. cusickii
Binomial name
Helianthus cusickii

Helianthus cusickii grows in mountain forests and foothills. This wildflower is a perennial up to 120 cm (4 feet) tall, growing from a thick, fleshy taproot. The lance-shaped leaves reach 15 centimeters (6 inches) in length, and the stem and foliage are often covered in long hairs. The flower heads have a base of long, hairy green phyllaries. The center of the head is filled with at least 40 yellow disc florets surrounded by 12–16 ray florets.[4]

Some Plateau Indian tribes used the roots to treat erectile dysfunction, wasting, and tuberculosis.[5]

References
  1. Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  2. Calflora taxon report, University of California, Helianthus cusickii A. Gray, Cusick's sunflower , photos, interactive California distribution map
  3. Turner Photographics, Helianthus cusickii - Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest photos, description, partial distribution map
  4. Flora of North America, Helianthus cusickii A. Gray, 1886. Cusick’s sunflower
  5. Hunn, Eugene S. (1990). Nch'i-Wana, "The Big River": Mid-Columbia Indians and Their Land. University of Washington Press. p. 353. ISBN 0-295-97119-3.


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