Types

• There are more than 60 different species of sunflowers.
  
  

Size

• Some sunflowers grow from 3 to 10 feet tall. Their sunflower head can be 1 foot in diameter.
  
  

Identification

• In the center of each sunflower head is a disk of small flowers. These are tubular in shape and surrounded by yellow petals.
  
  

Features

• Each sunflower head can produce over 1,000 sunflower seeds. These grow in the center of the sunflower head.
  
  

Benefits

• Sunflowers are high in protein. They are used to make vegetable oil, margarine, snack foods and bird food.
  
  

History

• Sunflowers were first grown in North America. In the 1500s, they were introduced to Europe.
  
  

Fun Fact

• The sunflower moves its head to face the sun.