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Maximilian Sunflower

Helianthus maximiliani Schrad.

Comments

provided by eFloras
Helianthus maximiliani is introduced in eastern Ontario and in Quebec. It appears to be native to midcontinental prairie regions and has spread along railroads and highways into all areas of North America. Its wide dispersal may be aided by cultivation for its attractive, showy floral displays. In addition to the usually conduplicate, single-nerved leaves and spikelike arrangement of the heads, it is distinguished by the whitish-canescent indument of the leaves and stems and the long-attenuate phyllaries.
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Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 21: 141, 147, 162, 165, 166 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
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Description

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Perennials, 50–300 cm (rhi-zomatous). Stems erect, 5–30 dm, scabrous to scabro-hispidulous. Leaves cauline; mostly alternate; petioles 0–2 cm; blades (light green to gray-green, 1-nerved, conduplicate) lanceolate, 10–30 × 2–5.5 cm, bases cuneate, margins usually entire, sometimes serrulate, abaxial faces scabrous to scabro-hispid, gland-dotted. Heads (1–)3–15 (often in racemiform to spiciform arrays ). Peduncles 1–11 cm. Involucres hemispheric, 13–28 mm diam. Phyllaries 30–40, lanceolate, 14–20 × 2–3 mm, (margins ciliate) apices acute to attenuate, abaxial faces canescent, gland-dotted. Paleae 7–11 mm, entire or 3-toothed (apices greenish, mucronate, hairy). Ray florets 10–25; laminae (15–)25–40 mm. Disc florets 75+; corollas 5–7 mm, lobes yellow; anthers dark brown or black; appendages usually yellow , sometimes partly dark . Cypselae 3–4 mm, glabrate; pappi of 2 aristate scales 3–4.1 mm. 2n = 34.
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 21: 141, 147, 162, 165, 166 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
source
Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
editor
Flora of North America Editorial Committee
project
eFloras.org
original
visit source
partner site
eFloras

Synonym

provided by eFloras
Helianthus dalyi Britton
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cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 21: 141, 147, 162, 165, 166 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
source
Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
editor
Flora of North America Editorial Committee
project
eFloras.org
original
visit source
partner site
eFloras

Common Names

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Maximilian sunflower
Maximillian sunflower
Maximilian's sunflower
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Cover Value

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More info for the term: cover

The cover value of Maximilian sunflower for several species of wildlife
in some western states is as follows [10]:

ND WY

Elk ---- poor
Mule deer fair poor
White-tailed deer fair poor
Pronghorn fair poor
Upland game birds fair ----
Waterfowl poor ----
Small nongame birds fair ----
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Description

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: achene, forb, fruit, warm-season

Maximilian sunflower is a warm-season, bunching, perennial native forb
[44]. It grows 1.6 to 8.2 feet (0.5-2.5 m) tall [17], with a spread of
1 to 3 feet (0.3-0.9 m) [21]. Stems grow singly or clustered from short
rhizomes [44]. The flowers occur in long, raceme-like inflorescences
[15]. The floral head is 1.5 to 3 inches (4-8 cm) wide [1]. The fruit
is an achene 0.12 to 0.16 (3-4 mm) long [17]. Maximilian sunflower has
short, thick, rhizomatous rootstocks [17] with crown-buds [15].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Distribution

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Maximilian sunflower is native to the Great Plains and adjacent areas
[44]. It is found from Saskatchewan and Manitoba south to Missouri and
Texas [17,18,22]. It has been sparingly introduced in the Pacific
Northwest [20], California [30], and east to the Atlantic states [12].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Ecology

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More info for the terms: fire regime, seed

Maximilian sunflower has good fire tolerance in the dormant state, and
can reproduce by rhizomes [44]. It produces numerous, small,
wind-dispersed seeds which germinate over a wide range of temperature
and moisture regimes [38] and can establish on burned sites. Maximilian
sunflower thrives in the open, sunny conditions created by fire [14].
Maximilian sunflower seeds have been found in the seedbank [26], and it
may be an initial on-site colonizer, but no information was available on
seed tolerance to heat or length of seed viability in the seedbank.

FIRE REGIMES :
Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this
species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under
"Find FIRE REGIMES".
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Management Considerations

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: cool-season, cover, forbs, prescribed fire, seed, shrubs, warm-season

In southwestern Minnesota, a degraded prairie that had been invaded by
shrubs and cool-season grasses was burned each spring from 1983 to 1987.
Native warm-season grasses and forbs, including Maximilian sunflower,
increased in dominance, and the prairie became more open each year.
Maximilian sunflower showed increased vigor, and new individuals were
established [2].

In the High and Rolling Plains of Texas, prescribed fire is used every 3
to 5 years to maintain optimum quail habitat in the grass stands where
Maximilian sunflower occurs [6].

In the Northern Great Plains, the best increases in Maximilian sunflower
vigor, canopy cover, and seed production are obtained with late spring
(May-June) fires [19].
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

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More info on this topic.

More info for the terms: geophyte, hemicryptophyte

Hemicryptophyte
Geophyte
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat characteristics

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Maximilian sunflower occurs on dry to moist open prairie, often on sandy
sites [17]. It is best adapted to deep, sandy to clayey loam upland
soils of subhumid prairies [44]. Growth is poor on gravel and dense
clay, fair on sand and clay, and good on sandy to clayey loam.
Maximilian sunflower grows poorly on saline soils. Its optimum soil
depth is 20 inches (50 cm) or more. It is more common on heavier soils
[44]. It is also found on waste ground, roadsides, pastures [1], fence
rows [33], riverbanks [18], and other disturbed areas [29].

Maximilian sunflower generally occurs in areas with 10 to 50 inches
(250-1270 mm) annual precipitation [35], but it can occur on lowlands
with better moisture conditions in the semiaric zones [44].

Maximilian sunflower exhibits good growth on gentle slopes and poor
growth on moderate and steep slopes [10].

Maximilian sunflower occurs at the following elevations [10]:

Elevation (feet) Elevation (m)

CO 3,500-7,000 1,067-2,134
MT 2,300-3,900 700-1,190
WY 3,600-6,000 1,100-1,830
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Cover Types

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This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

40 Post oak - blackjack oak
42 Bur oak
62 Silver maple - American elm
67 Shin (Mohrs) oak
220 Rocky Mountain juniper
237 Interior ponderosa pine
239 Pinyon - juniper
241 Western live oak
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Ecosystem

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This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

More info for the term: shrub

FRES15 Oak - hickory
FRES17 Elm - ash - cottonwood
FRES21 Ponderosa pine
FRES29 Sagebrush
FRES31 Shinnery
FRES34 Chaparral - mountain shrub
FRES35 Pinyon - juniper
FRES38 Plains grasslands
FRES39 Prairie
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Plant Associations

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This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the terms: forest, woodland

K016 Eastern ponderosa forest
K023 Juniper - pinyon woodland
K037 Mountain-mahogany - oak scrub
K056 Wheatgrass - needlegrass shrubsteppe
K064 Grama - needlegrass - wheatgrass
K065 Grama - buffalograss
K066 Wheatgrass - needlegrass
K067 Wheatgrass - bluestem - needlegrass
K068 Wheatgrass - grama - buffalograss
K069 Bluestem - grama prairie
K070 Sandsage - bluestem prairie
K071 Shinnery
K074 Bluestem prairie
K075 Nebraska Sandhills prairie
K076 Blackland prairie
K081 Oak savanna
K084 Cross Timbers
K098 Northern floodplain forest
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Immediate Effect of Fire

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Maximilian sunflower is probably top-killed by fire during the growing
season. It survives by sprouting from persistent rhizomes [17,44].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Importance to Livestock and Wildlife

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More info for the term: cover

Maximilian sunflower is part of the tall, thick, ungrazed cover in North
Dakota that ducks and pheasants seek out for nesting. It also provides
winter cover and its seeds are an important winter food [40].

In Montana, Maximilian sunflower is rated as valuable fall forage for
Rocky Mountain elk [25].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Key Plant Community Associations

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More info for the term: heath

Associates of Maximilian sunflower vary with location, since this
species has a wide ecological amplitude and it occurs in a variety of
prairie ecosystems.

Associates of Maximilian sunflower in mixed-grass prairie south of Lake
Manitoba in Canada include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium),
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii), alkali muhly
(Muhlenbergia asperifolia), common witchgrass (Panicum capillare),
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Russian thistle (Salsola kali),
silverberry (Eleagnus commutata), showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa),
and western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) [27].

Associates of Maximilian sunflower in undisturbed tallgrass prairie on
Mormon Island on the Platte River in Nebraska include the dominant big
bluestem, and lesser components switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Indian
grass (Sorghastrum nutans), heath aster (Aster ericoides), western
ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata), and Canada goldenrod (Solidago
canadensis) [8].

Associates of Maximilian sunflower in floodplain tallgrass prairie in a
wetlands area in Kansas include prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata),
ovoid spikesedge (Eleocharis obtusa), Indian grass (Sorgastrum nutans),
big bluestem, switchgrass, sedge (Carex frankii), common sunflower
(Helianthus annuus), compass plant (Silphium laciniatum), hemp dogbane
(Apocynum cannabinum), common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), and
thickspike gayfeather (Liatris pycnostachya) [7].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Life Form

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More info for the term: forb

Forb
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Management considerations

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: cover, forbs, restoration, seed, shrubs

Planting for wildlife: Maximilian sunflower has been planted for cover
and as a food source for scaled quail, northern bobwhites, and mourning
doves in the High and Rolling Plains of Texas [6]. It is a good
addition to a mix of shrubs, forbs, and grasses for use as wildlife
habitat [42].

Planting for prairie establishment: Due to its aggressive spreading,
Maximilian sunflower should be lightly seeded in prairie grass mixtures.
Optimal seeding times are November to May in the Central Great Plains,
and January to March in the Southern Great Plains. Early planting may
aid in breaking seed dormancy [44]. Maximilian sunflower requires low
to moderate moisture and full sun [37]. It was included in a mix of
native prairie grasses and forbs used to establish prairie on previously
cultivated fields in eastern Nebraska from 1975 to 1978. It proved to
be susceptible to herbicides, and established best when mechanical means
were used to control weeds [5].

When buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) in Minnesota was removed by cutting
and stump treatment with herbicide in 1985, Maximilian sunflower, which
had not been present, germinated in treated areas within 3 months of
initial treatment [4].

Maximilian sunflower was evaluated and grown at the Soil Conservation
Service Plant Materials Center in Kansas. Planting procedures are
described [9]. Maximilian sunflower seed accessions are held at
the wild sunflower (Helianthus spp.) nursery of the Plant Introduction
Station in Ames, Iowa. The collection can be used for problems in
prairie establishment or restoration [45].

Grazing: Maximilian sunflower is not common on closely grazed ranges.
Seedlings should be protected from close use and trampling. Moderate
grazing and periodic deferment of grazing during the growing season
enhance the persistance of Maxmimilan sunflower [44].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Nutritional Value

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Maximilian sunflower energy value for livestock is fair. Protein value
is poor [10].

The food value of Maximilian sunflower for several species of wildlife
in some western states is as follows [10]:

CO MT ND WY

Elk ---- poor ---- good
Mule deer ---- poor good poor
White-tailed deer ---- ---- good poor
Pronghorn poor ---- good ----
Upland game birds ---- ---- fair ----
Waterfowl ---- ---- poor ----
Small nongame birds ---- ---- good ----
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Occurrence in North America

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
AL AR CA CO CT ID IL IN IA KS
KY ME MA MI MN MO MT NE NM NC
ND OH OK SD TN TX UT WI WY AB
BC MB SK MEXICO
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Other uses and values

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More info for the term: natural

Maximilian sunflower roots can be prepared and eaten like those of
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus). Native American tribes of
the Great Plains ate them raw, boiled, or roasted [28].

Maximilian sunflower was evaluated as a potential source of industrial
raw materials. Since the natural rubbers present are of low molecular
weight, they may have commercial applications [35].

Maximilian sunflower is used as a garden ornamental [28].
license
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Palatability

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More info for the term: forbs

Maximilian sunflower is a palatable livestock forage of good quality,
[22], and is also used by deer [44]. It remains green after
many other forbs have matured [22], but little use is made of the
herbage after frost [44]. The seeds are choice food for quail and
dove [42], and are eaten by many other birds [44].

Maximilian sunflower palatability for livestock in several western
states is as follows [10]:

CO MT ND

Cattle fair fair good
Sheep fair fair fair
Horses fair ---- good
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Phenology

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More info for the terms: root crown, seed

Maximilian sunflower seeds germinate best when soil is warm [31],
generally in May throughout much of the area in which it occurs. Stands
develop rather rapidly from seed. Growth occurs in late spring and
summer [43], with some flowering possible by the end of the first
growing season in the South. However, plants are not usually fully
developed until the second year [44]. Maximilian sunflower dies back to
the ground each year, and regenerates new growth from rhizomes or
root crown buds [43]. Plants continue to spread by rhizomes after
establishment [44].

Maximilian sunflower flowering times are:

Begin Peak End
Flowering Flowering Flowering

CO June August September [10]
IL July ---- August [29]
KS August September October [21]
MT July July September [10]
NC September ---- October [33]
ND July August September [10]
SD July ---- September [22]
WY July July September [10]
Great Plains August ---- October [17]
New England August ---- September [36]
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Plant Response to Fire

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: competition, cover, litter, mesic, prescribed fire, swale

Fire usually enhances Maximilian sunflower, probably by removing litter,
allowing more sunlight to reach the soil surface, and reducing
competition.

Maximilian sunflower was burned in prescribed fires in May, 1970 and
May, 1971 in east-central North Dakota. It increased in cover more than
100 percent within the first 2 postfire years [23].

When dead vegetation mulch was burned in North Dakota in 1968 and 1969,
Maximilian sunflower and other plants grew taller, stiffer, and seeded
more vigorously [40].

Tallgrass prairie sites containing Maximilian sunflower in northwestern
Minnesota were subjected to prescribed fire in early May, 1972. The
removal of litter by fire varied with the site. In undisturbed prairie
on a mesic site, flowering decreased significantly following fire. On a
wet-mesic site in highly disturbed prairie, there was a slight,
nonsignificant decrease in flowering. On a wet swale in undisturbed
prairie, there was a very significant increase in flowering [32].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Post-fire Regeneration

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More info for the terms: herb, rhizome, secondary colonizer

Rhizomatous herb, rhizome in soil
Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)
Secondary colonizer - off-site seed
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regeneration Processes

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More info for the term: seed

Maximilian sunflower is a perennial which reproduces by seed [31,43].
It also spreads vegetatively by rhizomes, and can form large colonies
[44].

Maximilian sunflower cultivar "Aztec" seeds germinate within 1 to 3
weeks with a germination temperature regime of 12 hours each day at 86
degrees Fahrenheit (30 deg C) or lower [31]. With other seed sources,
germination can occur in 7 to 14 days, but nearly half can be dormant.
Seedling vigor is good [44].

Maximilian sunflower seeds from the soilbank at 22 typical habitats in
Kansas were collected in November, 1945, and stored in cool, dry
conditions until February, 1946. Subsequent germination tests showed
two major periods of germination: one between days 6 and 25, and another
between days 46 and 55 [26].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regional Distribution in the Western United States

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This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

10 Wyoming Basin
11 Southern Rocky Mountains
13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont
14 Great Plains
15 Black Hills Uplift
16 Upper Missouri Basin and Broken Lands
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Successional Status

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Facultative Seral Species

Maximilian sunflower thrives in sunlight and has only fair shade
tolerance [44]. Stand longevity can be 5 or more years [9].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Synonyms

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Helianthus maximilianii Schrad. [17,20]
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Taxonomy

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The currently accepted scientific name of Maximilian sunflower is
Helianthus maximiliani Schrad. [1,16,18,33]. It is a member of the
sunflower family (Asteraceae). There are no recognized subspecies,
varieties, or forms.
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Value for rehabilitation of disturbed sites

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Maximilian sunflower was determined by the Soil Conservation Service
Plant Materials Center in Kansas to be appropriate for use in
rehabilitation of degraded sites and for visual enhancement. In field
tests it showed excellent vigor [21].

Maximilian sunflower has been used successfully for revegetation of coal
minespoils in Kansas. It established with native grasses on abandoned
spoils graded to rolling topography, limed, and disced [43].

The Soil Conservation Service recommends Maximilian sunflower cultivar
"Aztec" for use in rehabilitation in southern Oklahoma, all of Texas
except the Trans-Pecos region, and eastward. The cultivar "Prairie
Gold" has greater cold tolerance, and can be used for revegetation
farther north [44].

Maximilian sunflower is suggested for use on roadsides, in parks, for
wildlife habitat, and in establishing prairies [37].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1993. Helianthus maximiliani.In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Helianthus maximiliani

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Helianthus maximiliani is a North American species of sunflower known by the common name Maximilian sunflower.[2]

This sunflower is named for Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, who encountered it on his travels in North America.

Helianthus maximiliani is native to the Great Plains in central North America, and naturalized in the eastern and western parts of the continent. It is now found from British Columbia to Maine, south to the Carolinas, Chihuahua, and California. The plant thrives in a number of ecosystems, particularly across the plains in central Canada and the United States. It is also cultivated as an ornamental.[3][4]

Description

A branching perennial herb, growing from a stout rhizome and reaches heights from 0.5–3.0 m (1+12–10 ft). The slender, tall, erect stems and alternately-arranged leaves are covered in rough hairs.[2]

The lance-shaped leaves are narrow, pointed, folded down the midvein, and up to 30 cm (12 in) long on large plants.[2]

The flower heads are surrounded at the base by pointed green phyllaries which often stick straight out and curl at the tips. The center is filled with yellow tipped brown disc florets and the circumference is lined with bright yellow ray florets 2–4 cm (1–1+12 in) long.[2]

The plant reproduces by seed and by vegetative sprouting from the rhizome.[2]

Uses

The thick rhizome is edible and provided a food similar to the Jerusalem artichoke for Native American groups such as the Sioux. The flower heads are attractive to insects and the fruits are eaten by birds. Livestock eat portions of the plant, and the seeds are eaten by various wildlife.[5]

The Land Institute, a perennial agriculture research center located in Salina, Kansas, run by Wes Jackson is experimenting with this species to create a perennial oilseed grain crop that does not necessitate replanting each season.

References

  1. ^ "Helianthus maximiliani". The Global Compositae Checklist (GCC) – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  2. ^ a b c d e Schilling, Edward E. (2006). "Helianthus maximiliani". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 21. New York and Oxford – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  3. ^ Anthony W. Kahtz (17 April 2008). Perennials for Midwestern Gardens: Proven Plants for the Heartland. Timber Press. pp. 55–. ISBN 978-0-88192-893-8. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  4. ^ "Helianthus maximiliani". County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA). Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2014.
  5. ^ Niering, William A.; Olmstead, Nancy C. (1985) [1979]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. Knopf. p. 385. ISBN 0-394-50432-1.

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Helianthus maximiliani: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Helianthus maximiliani is a North American species of sunflower known by the common name Maximilian sunflower.

This sunflower is named for Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, who encountered it on his travels in North America.

Helianthus maximiliani is native to the Great Plains in central North America, and naturalized in the eastern and western parts of the continent. It is now found from British Columbia to Maine, south to the Carolinas, Chihuahua, and California. The plant thrives in a number of ecosystems, particularly across the plains in central Canada and the United States. It is also cultivated as an ornamental.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN