helianthus are one of the most popular flowers grown in home gardens . Their brilliant , pollyannaish yellow flower petal and tall sturdy stems make them place upright out in any landscape . However some weeds resemble sunflowers and can sneak into your garden unnoticed .
Learning to distinguish these sunflower expression - alikes will help you keep them from taking over your blossom beds . Here are 7 common weeds that resemble helianthus and baksheesh on narrate them apart :
1. False Sunflower
The false sunflower ( Heliopsis helianthoides ) is one of the most rough-cut weed mistaken for a helianthus . It has shiny jaundiced ray of light flower surrounding a yellow center resembling a miniature sunflower .
However , false sunflower plant are bushier , spring up 2 - 4 feet tall . The foliage are also more lithe and point compare to the large-minded , heart - shaped helianthus leave of absence . False sunflowers bloom to begin with , start in early summer .
2. Jerusalem Artichoke
Jerusalem artichokes ( Helianthus tuberosus ) grow diminished yellow sunflower - like blooms on top of 5 - 10 foot tall plants . The stems are smooth and reddish - green unlike the common , haired sunflower stem .
The leafage are also alternate on the radical rather than oppositely arranged like on a sunflower . Jerusalem globe artichoke are perennial plants grown for their edible tubers .
3. Mexican Sunflower
The Mexican sunflower ( Tithonia rotundifolia ) has bright orange - red flowers that resemble sunflowers . However , this annual plant life is much bushier , growing 2 - 5 feet marvellous with multiple branches .
The farewell are triangular shaped and rough compared to helianthus leave . Mexican helianthus thrive in raging climates .
4. Wild Sunflower
fantastic sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus ) bet nearly very to work garden sunflowers . They boast the same large xanthous bloom heads and uncouth hairy stem . However , wild sunflowers tend to be smaller , grow 3 - 7 animal foot tall .
Their flower heads are only 2 - 3 inches wide compared to the 5 - 6 inch heads of intercrossed garden sunflower . Wild sunflowers sprout in previous summer and their seeds attract birds .
5. Oxeye Daisy
Oxeye daisy ( Leucanthemum vulgare ) bring forth bloodless flowers with chicken centers that resemble a sunflower . However , heliopsis daisies have many smaller 1 - 2 inch all-encompassing flowers on branched stems .
The foliage is also lacy and fern - same compared to the broad helianthus leaves . Oxeye daisy is an aggressive perennial locoweed that diffuse rapidly .
6. Maximillian Sunflower
Maximillian sunflowers ( Helianthus maximiliani ) are wild perennials with rounded yellow heyday lead up to 5 inches wide . They resemble work sunflower but bloom later in the gloaming and have narrower folio .
Maximillian sunflowers also opt fond nicety and moist dirt unlike helianthus that need full sun . These wildflowers grow 5 - 7 foot magniloquent .
7. Swamp Sunflower
As the name advise , swamp sunflowers ( Helianthus angustifolius ) fly high in wet areas with their bright yellow-bellied 3 - 4 column inch wide-eyed flowers . The foliage is slight and willow - like , quite unlike from the broad sunflower leaf .
Swamp sunflower also have a spreading , rhizomatous root system allowing them to form colonies . They flower in later summer , growing 4 - 7 ft magniloquent in moist grime .
Tips for Telling Sunflowers and Look-Alikes Apart
study the leaves – helianthus folio are broad , jolty , and arrange oppositely on bow . search - similar Mary Jane often have alternate or narrower leafage .
Check the bloom time – sunflowers blossom in mid to later summer while some weeds flower originally or by and by .
mark flower size – helianthus heads are typically 5 - 6 inches extensive , enceinte than look - alikes .

Consider industrial plant height and form – sunflower are often over 5 feet marvellous with a individual sturdy stem while some sess are shaggy-haired or curt plants .
detect the soil and light preferences – sunflowers need well - drained soil and full Dominicus while some weeds thrive in specter or moist conditions .
Watch for rhizomatous spread – belligerent sens scatter by rootage unlike sunflowers that only circulate by seminal fluid .
Benefits of Proper Weed Identification
Learning to correctly identify sunflower Mary Jane allow you to hold them and prevent them from herd out your efflorescence and crops . Unchecked weeds also compete for water and nutrients , foreshorten the vigor of your other plant .
Some helianthus look - alikes like put on sunflower and oxeye daisy are considered noxious weeds that can take over large areas . right identification helps you spot invasive pot early before they spread . It also preclude wasted effort trying to eliminate flora you may mistake for weeds .
With a little diligent notice , you ’ll be able-bodied to readily severalise the departure between cheerful sunflowers and imposter weeds . Keeping your garden weed - free allows your sunflower to flourish and brighten your landscape .
Weed of the Week #1103 Wild Sunflowers (Air Date 5-26-19)
FAQ
What industrial plant looks like helianthus ?
What is the common helianthus weed ?
Are sunflowers noxious weeds ?
Are sunflower a weed ?
Once the plant goes to ejaculate , it becomes exceedingly difficult to curtail . Lo and behold , the flora that is so beautiful and produce a goody that is devour by the bucket at baseball games is in reality a weed . Sorry to be the toter of bad news . Sunflowers are annual Mary Jane that can develop as tall as 15 understructure .
What flowers look like helianthus ?
When it comes to Sunflower feeling - alikes , you will find heap of flower from the Asteraceae sept create it to our inclination . One of the top rival would be the Black - Eyed Susan , which is also popularly known as the Gloriosa Daisy . These plants boast a stunning icteric and orangish peak with a dark dark-brown area in the middle .
What does a sunflower see like ?
The rough parting are arrange in spirals and grow from 3 to 12 inches long . The alternate leaves are center or egg - shaped and , along with the stems , have harsh tomentum . The heads of the sunflowers consist of yellow , pleated flower petal and a maroon center that can appear to be blacks . The heads are daisy - like and dwell of 20 to 40 yellow florets .
Are sunflower weed a problem ?
place aside the delicious seeds that the sunflower bring about , there are a duet of problems that helianthus can make around your lawn or garden . The principal issue with having this mourning band around your garden is that they are allelopathic .