Helianthus annuus
Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus, commonly known as the common sunflower, is a versatile annual plant celebrated for its vibrant yellow blooms. Beyond its ornamental beauty, it holds significant medicinal value. Its seeds and oil are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids, offering therapeutic benefits for skin and heart health.
- Scientific name: Helianthus annuus
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is further categorized into the family Asteraceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Helianthus, which includes the species Helianthus annuus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Helianthus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Helianthus annuus, is referred to by various names depending on the language and region. In English, it is widely known as the common sunflower, though in both Canada (en-ca) and the United Kingdom (en-gb), it is simply called the sunflower. In the Anglonese language (ang), it is called Sōlate, while in Arabic (ar), it is known as دوار الشمس.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| en | common sunflower | Wikidata |
| en-ca | sunflower | Wikidata |
| en-gb | sunflower | Wikidata |
| ang | Sōlate | Wikidata |
| ar | دوار الشمس | Wikidata |
| az | Birillik günəbaxan | Wikidata |
| bg | слънчоглед | Wikidata |
| bn | সূর্যমুখী | Wikidata |
| bo | ཉི་མ་མེ་ཏོག | Wikidata |
| br | tro-heol | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known scientifically as Helianthus annuus, exhibits a specific presence across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Furthermore, its distribution extends northward into the territory of Finland. The species is also documented in the island nations of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical reach includes the coastal and inland areas of Norway.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the sunflower, offers various components that are studied for their biological properties. The leaves serve as the primary site for photosynthesis, while the young leaves are often noted for their tender texture during early growth stages. A single leaf can become quite large and expansive as the plant matures. The reproductive center is characterized by the flower disc, which contains numerous tiny individual florets arranged in a dense pattern. Ultimately, the most well-known part is the seed, which is harvested for its high oil content and nutritional value.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| young leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower disc | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Helianthus annuus has 51 reported phytochemicals identified across 52 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lysine, 15-hydroxy-3-dehydrodeoxyfruticin, APX, As, CAT.
- Total chemicals
- 51
- Scientific sources
- 52
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lysine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 15-hydroxy-3-dehydrodeoxyfruticin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| APX | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| As | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CAT | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cr | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Germacrene A acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Helianthus annuus has 6 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Helianthus annuus has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Gout, abiotic stress, antioxidant, chymotrypsin.
- Total uses
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Gout | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abiotic stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chymotrypsin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyslipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty liver | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperuricemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |