- Description:
Many tall, upright stems grow from a single base. Leaves have a rough surface, are usually
folded lengthwise and curve down to a pointed tip. Flowers, with yellow ray petals and
yellow center disks, are scattered along the upper half of the stem.
- Comments:
There are 11 species of sunflowers in Kansas, and nine occur in the Flint Hills.
Maximilian’s occurs in colonies and is prominent on heavier soils. Readily eaten by
livestock, it is a desirable range plant and rare in most pastures. As with all the
sunflowers, the seeds are an excellent wildlife food, supplying high quality protein for
song birds and many small mammals. Maximilian’s Sunflower is found in prairie hay
meadows and along prairie roadsides statewide.
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