Botanical Name: Helianthus Annus
Origin: Native to North America
The sunflower is a member of the Asteracea family. Many useful plants
belong to the sunflower family, such as lettuce, marigold, dandelion,
chicory, thistle and endive. The plant is tall, hearty and it produces
large brilliant yellow flowers and edible seeds which are technically
fruits. Yellow flowers arise from a hard center embedded with seeds.
This hard center is called the sun center. In the sun center the seeds
are arranged in 34 spiarls opening clockwise.
Uses
Sunflower seeds has created a nutritional power break among all the
plants. Within the seeds are packed nutrients like proteins, fiber,
unsaturated fats, vitamin E, sugar, iron, zinc, magnesium, folate,
thiamine, riboflavin, etc. An essential oil is extracted from the seeds
which is used for several heart diseases. They are potent medicines for
maintaining and repairing body tissues. They are high energy food
sources for birds.
