Sunflower is a tall plant known for its showy yellow flowers. There are dozens of species (kinds) of sunflowers. The most common species grows from 3 to 10 feet (1 to 3 meters) tall and has one or more heads of flowers. Each head consists of a disk of small, tubular flowers surrounded by a fringe of large yellow petals. A sunflower head may measure more than 1 foot (30 centimeters) in diameter and produce up to 1,000 seeds. The head turns and faces toward the sun throughout the day.
Sunflower seeds are rich in protein. They yield a high-quality vegetable oil used in making margarine and cooking oil. Some varieties of sunflowers have large striped seeds, which are roasted for snack food or blended with other grains to make birdseed. Special oilseed varieties produce small black seeds that contain up to 50 percent oil. Sunflower seed oil accounts for a significant percentage of the vegetable oils produced throughout the world. Sunflower seed oil is sometimes used as a replacement for diesel fuel.
Argentina, Russia, and Ukraine lead the world in the production of sunflower seeds. In the United States, production increased rapidly during the mid-1970’s as a result of improved varieties and in response to a growing demand for sunflower oil. The chief sunflower-producing states include Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas.
Sunflowers originated in North America and were introduced into Europe during the 1500’s. Some species come up every year, but the most common ones must be grown annually from seeds.
