Sunflowers of the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington

The Genus Helianthus

Common Sunflower: Helianthus annuus (Synonyms: Helianthus annuus ssp. annuus, Helianthus annuus ssp. lenticularis) - Broad triangular leaf blades with slightly toothed margins. Leaf is a dull dark green. One single, stout stem bears several flower heads of numerous yellow ray flowers and a reddish brown central disk. 1-10 feet tall.

Cusick's Sunflower, Turniproot Sunflower: Helianthus cusickii - Prostrate to erect plant, with many stems. Flower heads "sunflower-like" with both yellow ray and discoid flowers. Leaves linear or lanceolate. To three feet tall. Officially not in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, I've included this plant on this list as I seem to recall seeing it east of US 97 in the Rock Creek area.

Prairie Sunflower: Helianthus petiolaris (Synonyms: Helianthus petiolaris ssp. petiolaris, Helianthus petiolaris var. petiolaris) -