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| ## maximilian sunflower {#maximilian-sunflower .Title-Header}         |
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| *Helianthus maximiliani* Schrad.                                      |
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| Plant Symbol = HEMA2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

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![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.509027777777778in"
height="3.3666666666666667in"}

D.D. Horn. 2004.

TENN---University of Tennessee

### 

##### Alternate Names  {#alternate-names .Header-3}

##### *Helianthus dalyi, Helianthus maximilianii*, Maximillian sunflower, Maximilian's sunflower, Michaelmas-daisy.  {#helianthus-dalyi-helianthus-maximilianii-maximillian-sunflower-maximilians-sunflower-michaelmas-daisy. .Header-3}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Erosion control:* Maximilian sunflower has a perennial root crown and
rhizomatous root system. Annual stems are produced from underground
stems. This growth pattern allows Maximilian sunflower to spread and
form dense plant clusters, reinforcing soil and preventing erosion.

*Ethnobotanic:* Native Americans used parts of this plant as sources of
food, oil, dye, and thread. Pioneers planted Maximilian sunflowers near
their homes to repel mosquitoes and used the blossoms in bathwater to
relieve arthritis pain. Sunflower seeds are eaten as snack items and
sprinkled on salads and other foods.

*Industrial products:* The natural rubber present in Maximilian
sunflower qualifies the plant as a potential source of industrial raw
materials.

*Livestock:* Although the protein value of Maximilian sunflower is poor,
it is a palatable livestock forage species. It remains green late into
the fall and is consumed until the first frost makes it less flavorful.
It is plentiful on ranges that are not closely grazed.

Moderate grazing can increase the presence of Maximilian sunflower.

*Ornamental:* The bright yellow flowers of Maximilian sunflower make it
a popular choice for use in native gardens. It can be utilized as a
hedge or natural screen because of its height.

*Restoration:* Maximilian sunflower is used as a conservation planting
for habitat development, prairie restoration and landscaping, and range
and pasture maintenance. It can be used in filterstrip plantings. It has
been used with native grasses in Kansas to revegetate coalmine spoils.

*Wildlife:* Butterflies, beetles, and long- and short-tongued bees
consume the nectar or pollen produced the flowers of Maximilian
sunflower. Butterfly caterpillars feed on the foliage while moth
caterpillars bore through the stems. Upland game birds, small non-game
birds, and some waterfowl consume its seeds. Rabbits and groundhogs feed
on young plants while elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and pronghorn
antelope browse and graze older plants. It has poor nutritional value
for these species. Habitat and cover are provided to birds and small
mammals by individual plant clusters and dense colonies formed with
other shrub-like plants.

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: Aster Family (Asteraceae). This native perennial has a stout,
rhizomatous root system. It grows from 0.9 m to 2.5 m tall with stems
occurring singly or in clusters. The central stem is stout, light green
to light red, and covered with short, dense white hairs. Leaves are
alternate, up to 30 cm long and 5 cm wide, sessile, narrowly
lance-shaped, and folded upward from the central vein. Leaf surfaces are
covered with white hairs; margins are smooth or loosely toothed. Short
inflorescence stalks emerge from the leaf axils, bearing one composite
flower head and one to two leaves. Each inflorescence has two pale green
bracts at its base, is 5 to 7 cm in diameter, and has 20 to 40 yellow
ray flowers and many yellow disc flowers. Flowering occurs in September
and early October. Fruits are achenes that ripen in October and November
and are wind or animal dispersed.

The characteristic that distinguishes Maximilian sunflower from other
*Helianthus* species is the grayish appearance given off by dense white
hairs on the plant.

*Distribution*: Maximilian sunflower is native to the central United
States, from Ontario, Michigan, and Ohio, west to Alberta, Montana,
Wyoming, and Colorado and south to Texas. It may be sparsely introduced
east and west of its native range. For current distribution, please
consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site
(http://plants.usda.gov).

*Habitat*: Maximilian sunflower occurs on rocky upland and loess hill
prairies, rocky ledges, and along railways, roadsides, fences, and other
disturbed areas. In drier regions, it is found along streams and near
wetter areas.

In mixed-grass prairies, it is associated with bluestem, switchgrass,
Russian thistle, silverberry, milkweed, and snowberry species. In
tallgrass prairies, it is associated with big bluestem, switchgrass,
Indian grass, heath aster, ironweed, and Canada goldenrod. In floodplain
tallgrass prairies, it is associated with prairie cordgrass, spikesedge,
Indian grass, big bluestem, switchgrass, compass plant, milkweed, and
annual sunflower.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

The USDA hardiness zones for Maximilian sunflower are 3 to 9. Although
it can grow in a variety of conditions, it prefers moist clay-like
soils, soil depths of 50 cm or more, 250 to 1,270 mm annual
precipitation, gentle slopes, and full sun. Soil, moisture, and
topography can be variable, but Maximilian sunflower will not tolerate
shade. It tends to grow very tall in moist rich soil and may become
top-heavy when in bloom. Growth is poor on gravel, dense clay, or saline
soils.

Maximilian sunflower plants are allelopathic. They produce chemicals
that hinder the growth of neighboring plants. These chemicals are not
harmful to livestock and wildlife.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

In early winter, rake Maximilian sunflower seeds into loose topsoil and
cover with 0.25 to 0.5 inch of soil or mulch. A long cold period is
required before germination. The average number of seeds per pound
varies by location. The South Dakota Plant Materials Center has listed
250,000 seeds per pound while both the North Carolina Department of
Transportation and Texas A&M University report 182,000 seeds per pound.
The appropriate seeding rate for pure Maximilian sunflower stands is 5
pounds per acre, allowing space between germinated plants.

If used as part of a prairie seed mixture, Maximilian sunflower seeds
should be included at a rate of 0.1 to 0.25 pound per acre. Optimal
seeding times are November to May in the central Great Plains and
January to March in the southern Great Plains. In Nebraska, Maximilian
sunflower established best when weeds were controlled mechanically.
Seedling vigor is good.

Growth occurs in late spring and summer with some flowering by the end
of the first season. Most Maximilian sunflower plants are not fully
developed until the second season. Plants primarily spread by rhizomes
after establishment.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Maximilian sunflower plants growing on rich, fertile sites will grow
tall and spindly. Weak stems will cause the plants to fall and can be
staked to remain upright. Older stems can be mechanically cut back at
the end of the season to make room for new sprouts.

Maximilian sunflower exhibits fire tolerance in its dormant stage.
Seedlings will emerge on open, post-burned sites from the underground
seedbank and rhizomes. Following fire in North Dakota, Maximilian
sunflower grew taller, stiffer, and seeded more vigorously. Research
suggests that plant performance increases following fire in disturbed,
invaded areas but not on undisturbed areas. Fire removes competition and
opens up the canopy for Maximilian sunflower in the disturbed areas.

**Seeds and Plant Production**

Seeds are ready for collection in late October and November. They are
moist stratified for 56 days. Germination occurs at an alternating cycle
of 30^o^C daytime and 15^o^C nighttime temperatures. The optimum soil
temperature for germination is 20^o^C to 30^o^C. Seventy percent of
seeds will germinate in 7 to 25 days.

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### One-year-old plants sprout new shoots that can be dug up and cut from the parent plant. Division and transplantation should take place in February or March. {#one-year-old-plants-sprout-new-shoots-that-can-be-dug-up-and-cut-from-the-parent-plant.-division-and-transplantation-should-take-place-in-february-or-march. .Header-3}

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

The USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center has released Maximilian sunflower
cultivars 'Aztec' and 'Prairie Gold' for conservation use. 'Aztec' was
released for the purposes of wildlife food, livestock forage cover,
natural hedges, screens, filterstrips, and as ornamental landscape
plants. 'Prairie Gold' was released for critical area reseeding and
wildlife food plantings. These plant materials are readily available
from commercial sources.

**References**

Agricultural Research Center. 2004. *GRIN taxonomy*
(http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/index, 14 June 2004). USDA,
Beltsville.

Baskin, C.C. and J.M. Baskin. 2002. *Propagation protocol for production
of container Helianthus maximiliani Schrad. plants.* (http://www.native
plantnetwork.org, 14 June 2004). College of Natural Resources,
University of Idaho, Moscow.

Bismarck Plant Materials Center and Bridger Plant Materials Center.
2001. *Planting guide for five native forbs/legumes released for
conservation use* (http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/
ndpmcpg2000rel.pdf, 14 June 2004). USDA NRCS Bismarck Plant Materials
Center, Bismarck.

Dillard, J. 1999. *Sunflowers for wildlife in the cross timbers*
(http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/
wildlife_habitat/pdf_docs/sunflowers_for_wl.pdf, 14 June 2004). Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin.

Faucon, P. 2003. *Maximillian sunflower
(*http://www.desert-tropicals.com). Desert Tropicals, Phoenix.

Haddock, M. 2004. *Kansas wildflowers and grasses*
(http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/, 14 June 2004). Kansas State
University, Manhattan.

Harrington, M. 2004. *Wildflowers on North Carolina Roadsides,*
(http://www.doh.dot.state.nc.us/
operations/dp_chief_eng/roadside/wildflowerbook/, 14 June 2004). North
Carolina Department of Transportation, Raleigh.

Hilty, J. 2004. *Helianthus maximiliani*
(http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/mx_sunflowerx.htm,
14 Jun 2004). Prairie Wildflowers of Illinois Project, Urbana.

Horn, D.D. 2004. *Helianthus maximiliani.* (http://tenn.bio.utk.edu/
vascular/vascular.html, 14 June 2004). University of Tennessee,
Knoxville.

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

##### National Plant Materials Center. 2004. *Helianthus maximiliani.* (http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/release index.html, 14 June 2004). USDA, Beltsville. {#national-plant-materials-center.-2004.-helianthus-maximiliani.-httpplant-materials.nrcs.usda.govrelease-index.html-14-june-2004.-usda-beltsville. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### Native Plant Information Network. 2001. *Propagation datasheets* (http://www.wildflower2. org/NPIN/Clearinghouse/Propagation/propsheets. html, 14 June 2004). Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin. {#native-plant-information-network.-2001.-propagation-datasheets-httpwww.wildflower2.-orgnpinclearinghousepropagationpropsheets.-html-14-june-2004.-lady-bird-johnson-wildflower-center-austin. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### Stevens, R. and C. Coffey. 2004. *Plant Image Gallery* (http://www.noble.org/imagegallery/ index.html, 14 June 2004). Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore. {#stevens-r.-and-c.-coffey.-2004.-plant-image-gallery-httpwww.noble.orgimagegallery-index.html-14-june-2004.-samuel-roberts-noble-foundation-ardmore. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

##### Tober, D.A. 2000. *Notice of release: Medicine Creek Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani)* (http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/ ndpmcrnhema2medi.pdf, 14 June 2004). USDA-NRCS Bismarck Plant Materials Center, Bismarck. {#tober-d.a.-2000.-notice-of-release-medicine-creek-maximilian-sunflower-helianthus-maximiliani-httpplant-materials.nrcs.usda.govpubs-ndpmcrnhema2medi.pdf-14-june-2004.-usda-nrcs-bismarck-plant-materials-center-bismarck. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-8 .Header-3}

##### Tveter, D. 2004. *How to grow Maximiliani sunflower* (http://www.dontveter.com/howtogrow/helimaxi. html, 14 June 2004). The How to Grow it Project, Chicago. {#tveter-d.-2004.-how-to-grow-maximiliani-sunflower-httpwww.dontveter.comhowtogrowhelimaxi.-html-14-june-2004.-the-how-to-grow-it-project-chicago. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-9 .Header-3}

##### Walsh, R.A. 1993. *Helianthus maximiliani.* In: Fire Sciences Laboratory. Fire Effects Information System (http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/, 14 June 2004). Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Missoula. {#walsh-r.a.-1993.-helianthus-maximiliani.-in-fire-sciences-laboratory.-fire-effects-information-system-httpwww.fs.fed.usdatabasefeis-14-june-2004.-rocky-mountain-research-station-usda-forest-service-missoula. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-10 .Header-3}

##### Wildseed Farms. 2004. *Helianthus maximiliani.* In: Aggie Horticulture. Wildflowers in bloom (http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wildseed/, 14 June 2004). Texas A&M University, College Station.  {#wildseed-farms.-2004.-helianthus-maximiliani.-in-aggie-horticulture.-wildflowers-in-bloom-httpaggie-horticulture.tamu.eduwildseed-14-june-2004.-texas-am-university-college-station. .Header-3}

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

##### *Sarah Wennerberg,* formerly USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana {#sarah-wennerberg-formerly-usda-nrcs-national-plant-data-center-baton-rouge-louisiana .Header-3}

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

*Mark Skinner,* USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana

##### Edited: 23June2004 sbw; 20Oct2004 rln {#edited-23june2004-sbw-20oct2004-rln .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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