Variableleaf & Narrowleaf Sunflowers
By LYNN ARTZ and SANDY TEDDER
Florida is home to over 20 native species of sunflower. Variableleaf sunflower (Helianthus heterophyllus) is still displaying its large yellow flowers along the south side of the pond at Sopchoppy Depot Park. Also called wetland sunflower, this long-lived perennial has few leaves on its stem and grows to 4’ tall. It is found in the Florida panhandle and elsewhere in the southeast. The more common narrowleaf sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) occurs throughout Florida and much of the southeastern U.S. in moist to wet areas. Also called swamp sunflower, this native grows 4-6’ tall. If you’ve seen yellow, daisy-like blooms in the roadside swales of Wakulla County this fall, you’ve likely seen narrowleaf sunflowers. This species recently finished blooming at Sopchoppy Depot Park.