10 facts about sunflowers

10 facts about sunflowers

• They Follow the Sun – Young sunflowers exhibit heliotropism, meaning they turn their heads to follow the sun from east to west during the day.

• Thousands of Tiny Flowers – What looks like a single sunflower is actually made up of thousands of tiny individual flowers in the center, called florets, which later become seeds.

• They Can Grow Really Tall – Some sunflower varieties can grow over 12 feet tall! The tallest recorded sunflower reached 30 feet, 1 inch (9.17 meters).

• Sunflowers Are Native to North America – They were first cultivated by Indigenous people over 4,500 years ago for food, oil, and dye.

• They Attract Pollinators – Sunflowers are an important nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, helping ecosystems thrive.

• Sunflower Seeds Are Nutritious – Packed with vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats, sunflower seeds are a tasty and healthy snack for humans—and birds love them too!

• They Absorb Toxins – Sunflowers have been used to clean up radioactive soil after nuclear disasters, such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, because they absorb harmful toxins like lead and arsenic.

• A Sunflower Isn’t Always Yellow – While classic sunflowers are golden yellow, they also come in red, orange, white, and even purple shades!

• Sunflowers Symbolize Happiness – Many cultures associate sunflowers with joy, positivity, and longevity due to their bright and sunny appearance.

• Sunflowers Inspired Van Gogh – The famous artist Vincent van Gogh painted a whole series of sunflower paintings, which remain some of the most beloved artworks in history.