Lably
Skip to content

Heliantheae

Tribe of sunflower plants

  • 3 min read
  • 2 chapters

Related on Lably

Through North America, South America and Shrub

Most Heliantheae are herbs or shrubs, but some grow to the size of small trees. Leaves are usually hairy and arranged in opposite pairs. The anthers are usually blackened.

The above statements about the size and distribution of the tribe apply to a broad definition of Heliantheae, which was followed throughout the 20th century. Some recent authors break the tribe up into a dozen or so smaller tribes.

Uses

Commercially important plants in the Heliantheae include sunflower and Jerusalem artichoke. Many garden flowers are also in this group, such as Coreopsis, Cosmos, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, and Zinnia. Some authors separate Coreopsis and Cosmos into the Coreopsideae tribe.

In contrast to the benefits brought by the group, some are problematic weeds. Species of Ambrosia (ragweed) produce large quantities of highly allergenic pollen. Each plant is reputed to be able to produce about a billion grains of pollen over a season, and the plant is wind-pollinated.

Sign in to keep reading

One more chapter is free with a Lably account.

More in Plants