Wildflowers of the United States
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Purpledisk sunflower, Appalachian sunflower - Helianthus atrorubens


Family: Asteraceae – Aster family Genus Common Name: Sunflower Native Status: Native
Helianthus atrorubens - Purpledisk sunflower, Appalachian sunflower. Multiple flower heads terminating a stem which is quite hairy in the lower half; glabrous to pubescent nearing the inflorescence. The leaves are opposite with leaf pairs in whorled pattern around the stem. The leaves are greatly reduced as they near the top. Several flowers each on an individual 3” pedicels. Ovate, veined leaves are hairy and rough on top; hairy on bottom. A similar species is H. silphioides; the reason I decided this species is H. atrorubens is that the USDA doesn't list H. silphioides as being found in Georgia.
Check here for more information about Helianthus atrorubens.
Distribution of Helianthus atrorubens in the United States and Canada:
USDA Plants Distribution Map
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2009. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 09 Sep 2010). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2009-September-26Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
H. atrorubens blossom has 10 to 15 ray flowers and dark disk flowers. The name 'atrorubens' comes from a combination of the latin for 'black' and for 'red'.
Helianthus atrorubens
Site: Walker County, Ga Date: 2009-September-26Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Large, hairy ovate opposing leaves on the lower half of the stem, with greatly reduced leaves as the stem nears the inflorescence. Several blossoms on approximately 3-insh pedicels give the flower the USDA national common name of Purpledisk Sunflower.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Helianthus atrorubens
Site: Walker County, Ga Date: 2009-September-26Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Although the lower stem is quite hairy in Helianthus atrorubens, it become pubescent to glabrous (smooth) as the leaf pairs reduce in size in the upper part of the stem.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Helianthus atrorubens
Site: Walker County, Ga Date: 2009-September-26Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
The lower part of the stem is quite hairy in Helianthus atrorubens. Note the winged petiole.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Helianthus atrorubens

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2010
Photographs Copyrighted by the named photographer


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