Resinous Sunflower is an herbaceous perennial wildflower native to several southeastern states. It nature, it can be found growing along roadsides, in pine woodlands, mixed hardwood forests, and thickets. Each stem can grow up to 8 feet in height and will produce 1 to 5 flower heads. Each head has 10 to 20 yellow ray petals which are the outer larger petals and over 90 yellow disc flowers, which are the tiny innermost flowers. This sunflower is noted for the abundant yellow resin dots or glands on the leaves and flower heads. This plant is native to North Carolina and prefers full sun to partial shade and soil of average moisture. However, it does tolerate dry soil and soils of most texture, including clay. It is self-seeding and you can easily expand your garden with this large perennial for years. It will also multiply by underground suckers. The suckers can be shared with other gardeners. Once they have become established, a small trowel can be used to dig them up. Pot them and give them time to establish a root system before replanting. Of course, the ease with which it spreads can make it a problem to keep under control. This plant is sometimes mistakenly sold under the name Helianthus Tomentosus Michaux . Use in naturalised areas and pollinator gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant diseases or insect pests. Weedy. More information on Helianthus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Papery; Rough
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The foliage is covered by stiff hairs inside small glands. The veined foliage is a deep green color and also stiff. Leaves are opposite on the lower portion of the stem and alternate above.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
Blooms from June to October with large, 6 inch heads with 10 to 20 petals and 90 or more small disc flowers in the center.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
Displays from July to November.
Stem color
Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
The stems are unbranched below the flower.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern United States
Distribution
AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC
Wildlife value
The seeds from the flower heads are a winter food source for birds and small mammals. Butterflies and bees are attracted to the many disc flowers. Flowers provide nectar to pollinators from July until the first frost. This is a larval host plant that supports Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). The Silvery Checkerspot has at least 1-2 broods in the north from June-July in the deep south and Texas, they have as many as 3-4 broods from May through September.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds