Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Account for Narrowleaf Sunflower - Helianthus angustifolius   L.
Members of Asteraceae:
Members of Helianthus with account distribution info or public map:
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Section 6 » Order Asterales » Family Asteraceae
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AuthorL.
DistributionThroughout the Coastal Plain, Sandhills, and lower Piedmont, scattered westward and with a concentration in the southern low Mountains. Recently spreading westward into the central and upper Piedmont (documented by numerous photos on iNaturalist).

Southeastern NY to IA, south to FL and TX.
AbundanceCommon to locally abundant in the Coastal Plain and Sandhills; common in the eastern Piedmont, but uncommon in the central and western Piedmont. Fairly common in the southern Mountains but absent in the central and northern Mountains.
HabitatMoist to wet meadows, marshes, savannas, margins of beaver ponds, roadside ditches, damp powerlines.
PhenologyFlowering and fruiting late August-October.
IdentificationPlants grow 3-6 feet tall, with numerous, slender (1/3-inch wide and 5-7 inches long), scabrous (rough to touch), opposite, dark green leaves (often with revolute margins -- making them look even narrower). The inflorescence is broad and multi-branched; the numerous heads are about 1.5-2 inches across, with bright yellow rays and brown-purple disks. The slender leaves are not likely to be confused with other sunflowers. This is a very striking plant when in bloom.
Taxonomic CommentsNone

Other Common Name(s)Swamp Sunflower
State RankS5
Global RankG5
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US Status
USACE-agcpFACW link
USACE-empFACW link
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Photo Gallery
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B.A. SorrieMoist roadside of Red Branch Road, Piedmont, 8 Oct 2024. MoorePhoto_natural
B.A. SorriePee Dee NWR, roadside esge of woods. 29 Sept 2014.
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