THE SUN FLOWER
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Sun flower is an annual plant with big daisy-like flower faces of bright yellower petals (and occasionally red) and brown centres that ripen into heavy heads.
Except for three species in the South America, all (HELIANTHUS) species are native to North America. The common name "sunflower", typically refers to popular annual species (HELIANTHUS ANNUS) or the common sunflower, whose round flowers heads in combination with the ligules look like the sun.
Sunflowers have large yellow ray flower petals on the outer edge that do not produce seeds. The head is composed of hundreds of tiny little flowers joined together at the base. These are disked shaped and can be brown, yellow or purple.
Sunflowers are appealing do the bright color they bring to the landscape. While there are numerous varieties available, sunflowers commonly bloom during summer and a portion of fall, with the middle of summer as the peak season.
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Sunflowers are packed with nutrients, as all edible sprouts are. Eat it as is, or as salad or stir fry. You can eat the leaves of older sunflower plants, I although they're not as tasty as sprouts. They are nutritious and a good emergency food, eaten either raw, or boiled like greens.
Sunflowers are used in industry for making paints and cosmetics.
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The roasted seeds make a coffee type drink. In countries where they grow sunflowers, the seed cake that is left after the oil is extracted is given to livestock as food.
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Although miniature sunflower varieties are about 2 feet tall, and giant varieties can grow over 10 feet tall, standard sunflowers are usually between 6 to 10 feet in height.
Depending in the variety, sunflower plants started from seed can mature in 70 to 100 days.
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A vase of sunflowers can brighten any room, I but it's disappointing when the start to wilt and droop after just a few days. Mix a packet of cut flower preservative with cook water in a vase, then cut off the bottom inch of each sunflower stem while it's still submerged in the bucket at an angle before transferring it to the vase. Replace the water and preservatives in the case every 1 to 2 days to extend the life of the sunflowers.
With proper care, sunflowers should last from 6 to 12 days. Mix to maximize the case life, and look for flowers that are just starting to fully open.