Common Sunflower

Common Sunflower
Common Name(s):
Common Sunflower
Scientific Name:
Helianthus annus
Family:
Asteraceae
Sunflower Family
Flower:
large (5") composite. Yellow rays and a reddish brown disk.
Leaves:
large to 12" hairy lobed leaves tapering to pointed tip
Plant:
to 6', branching and bushy
General Comments:
The most showy of roadside flowers in Houston which blooms most of the year.

Yellow Hawkweed*

Yellow Hawkweed
Common Name(s):
Yellow Hawkweed*
Scientific Name:
Hieracium pratense
Family:
Asteraceae
Sunflower Family
Flower:
1/2" yellow ray flower, cluster at top of stem. Cluster may be branched.
Leaves:
lobed basal leaves
Plant:
up to 4'.
General Comments:
* Many similar species that are not well described make this plant difficult to identify positively. The two photos shown may actually be different species as one has a compact head of flowers and one is highly branched. possibly H. florentinum or H. floribundum

White Cat's Ear

White Cat's Ear
Common Name(s):
White Cat's Ear
Scientific Name:
Hypochoeris microcephala var. albiflora
Family:
Asteraceae
Sunflower Family
Flower:
1/2" head with white rays. No disk flowers.
Leaves:
Basal rosette has deeply lobed 8" leaves. Stem leaves are smaller and narrow.
Plant:
1-2' branching into many stems near the top. Flowers are terminal on stems.
General Comments:
Similar in many respects to the false-dandelion genus Pyrrhopappus.

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