Slender Sunflower

Carried by 4 nurseries

Estimated plant range Estimated plant range

Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plant description

Slender Sunflower is a species in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that is native to central and southern California and Baja California, where it is a member of the chaparral and yellow pine forest habitats. This is a perennial herb growing from a thick taproot to heights anywhere between one half and two meters. The lance-shaped, pointed leaves are smooth-edged or slightly toothed and up to about 11 centimeters long. The long, slender stems and foliage are covered in rough hairs. The flower cluster bears flower heads with an array of short, hairy phyllaries behind a thick center of yellow to red-brown disc florets. The golden ray florets around the edge are one to three centimeters long. Grows well in chaparral and yellow pine forest habitats.

Plant overview

Plant type

Annual herb, Perennial herb

Size

2 - 7 ft Tall
6 - 12 in Wide

Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Landscaping information

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 5° F

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Prefers sand but tolerates garden soil.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Sunset Zones

3, 7*, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Natural setting

Site type

Flat places with slightly more moisture in the Coast, Transverse and Peninsular Ranges, primarily from San Benito County southward.

Plant communities

Chaparral, Yellow Pine Forest

Companion plants

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Use with Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), Lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Ceanothus species, Milkweed (Asclepias spp.), Giant Wild Rye (Elymus condensatus), Sand Aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia), Sagebrush (Artemisia californica), Monkeyflower (Mimulus spp.), Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), Heartleaf Keckiella (Keckiella cordifolia), Penstemon species, Salvia species, and Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)

Birds

Bees

Caterpillars

Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 31 likely

Confirmed Likely

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Common names:

Slender Sunflower

Sources

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Carried by 4 nurseries

California Sagebrush

California Aster

Giant Wildrye

Toyon

Butterflies and moths supported

Garden Webworm Moth

Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Ipsilon Dart

Alfalfa Looper Moth