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| head--this is the typical sunflower-type head, with disk and ray flowers present. In Helianthus maximiliani, the disk flowers are yellower in appearance than those of H. annuus. | head viewed from the side, showing the pointed phyllaries (involucral bracts) |
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| leaves--how are these leaves different from those of Helianthus annuus? | leaf closeup--what shape and margin are present here? Also, notice the coarse hairs that cover the leaf. These hairs give the leaves a sandpapery feel. |
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| Just like the leaves, the stems are covered with coarse hairs too. And these feel even rougher! | Helianthus maximiliani is a perennial that grows slowly through the summer months as a group of short stems... |
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| ...until September, when the stems bolt and produce heads (usually the first heads appear around October 1 in the Austin area). Individual plants can be over 10 feet tall in good conditions! | |
