Helianthus paradoxus

Taxobox
name = "Helianthus paradoxus"


image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
division = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Asterales
familia = Asteraceae
genus = "Helianthus"
species = "H. paradoxus"
binomial = "Helianthus paradoxus"
binomial_authority = Heiser

"Helianthus paradoxus" (Puzzle Sunflower) is a threatened species of sunflower found only in west Texas and New Mexico salt marshes. "H. paradoxus" is most likely a stable hybrid of "H. annuus", the common sunflower, and "H. petiolaris", and is more tolerant of salt than either parent species. "H. paradoxus" is found in areas with salinity levels ranging from 10–40 parts per thousand. Due to its ability to withstand such high levels of salt, "H. paradoxus" is considered to be a halophyte.

This species is also called the "Pecos sunflower".

References

*Welch, M. E. & Rieseberg, L. H. (2002). Habitat Divergence between a Homoploid Hybrid Sunflower Species, "Helianthus paradoxus" (Asteraceae), and its progenitors. "American Journal of Botany" 89 (3): 472-478.
*Van Auken, O. W. and Bush, J.K. (1998). Spatial Relationships of "Helianthus paradoxus" (Compositae) and associated salt marsh plants. "Southwestern Naturalist" 43: 313-320.

External links

* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HEPA2 USDA information]
* [http://nmrareplants.unm.edu/rarelist_single.php?SpeciesID=95 Picture and description]
* [http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/ASP/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=2202 Conservation status]