Schweinitz's sunflower

Schweinitz's Sunflower ("Helianthus schweinitzii") is a perennial wildflower endemic to the Piedmont physiographic province of North Carolina and South Carolina. It is classified in the Sunflower Family ("Asteraceae", formerly "Compositae"). It is one of the rarest plants in the United States, found only in a very few prairie remnants and along utility and highway rights-of-way in North Carolina and South Carolina. There are only about 90 known populations, many containing less than 40 plants each. It was listed as a federal endangered species on May 7, 1991. [http://www.hiltonpond.org/ResearchSunflowerMain.html Hilton Pond Schweinitz Sunflower Recovery] . Retrieved on 2008-07-29.]

Schweinitz's Sunflower grows from 1 to 2 m tall. Its stems are usually solitary, branching only at or above mid-stem. The sunflower begins flowering in late August or early September and continues flowering until the first frost. [http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/schwsun.html "Schweinitz's Sunflower"] , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved on 2008-07-29.]

It is named for Lewis David von Schweinitz (1780-1834), a Salem, North Carolina clergyman and botanist who discovered the species. It was first described by botanists John Torrey (1796-1873) and Asa Gray (1810-1888).

It is believed that Schweinitz's Sunflower this species formerly occupied prairie-like habitats or Post Oak-Blackjack Oak savannas maintained some degree of disturbance. Historically, this was provided by fire and/or native grazing animals such as Elk and American Bison. However, repeated mowing during the flowering and fruiting season is harmful to the species. [http://www.hiltonpond.org/ResearchSunflowerMain.html Hilton Pond Schweinitz Sunflower Recovery] . Retrieved on 2008-07-29.] Schweinitz's sunflower is known from a variety of soil types but is generally found growing on shallow, poor, clayey and/or rocky soils. [http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/schwsun.html "Schweinitz's Sunflower"] , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved on 2008-07-29.]

References

External links

* [http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/ASP/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=2205 Center for Plant Conservation Species Profile]