Sunflowers

	Sunflowers, or Asteraceae Helianthus annuus, is an annual flowering plant indigenous to North America. Its large inflorescence inspired its name as the large, round bloom framed with brightly coloured petals is similar to simple depictions of the sun. However, this “flower” is actually a connected mass of 1000-2000 individual florets, creating what is known as a composite flower. Outer florets produce large petals in red, orange, yellow or other colours. Inner florets, known as disc florets, eventually mature into seeds. Barring any abnormality, these florets will be distributed in a phyllotaxical pattern. They provide a natural example of the golden angle, as the position of each floret relative to the previous in the spiral is offset by 137.5 degrees. This can be proven geometrically to be the most efficient packing pattern. This hefty load is supported by a tall, relatively thin stalk. Broad phototrophic leaves branch off in the upper areas of the stalk. A common myth surrounding the plant is that the flower head will also follow the sun, but as only the leaves contain chlorophyl and have an interest in solar reception, this misconception is logically unsound but quite endearing. The plant typically reaches heights between 1.5 and 3.5m, although heights surpassing 10m have been reported. At maturation, the sunflower’s florets, now hardened into seeds, fall from the plant.

	Sunflowers were domesticated as far back as 2600 BC. It is uncertain whether the initial uses involved its use as a food crop, but a primary focus was ritualistic. Many traditional Aboriginal  medicines made use of sunflower oils to treat everything from kidney pains to anointing sores. Aztec civilizations viewed it as symbolic of sun deities. So prevalent was this association that some scholars believe that 16th century Spaniards attempted to quash Spanish cultivation of sunflowers due to the pagan connections. Despite these efforts, the sunflower quickly became popular in the old world and among new world settlers. The enduring aesthetic value persists, although now the religious symbolism has been usurped by a near anthropomorphism of the plant as an icon of cheerfulness, friendliness and summer.

	These aesthetics aside, the plant has found a niche as a versatile and reliable food crop. Sunflower seeds reveal a nutty meat after the hard shell has been shucked. This is often eaten as a snack food and can be prepared in many variations. An affection for whole sunflower seeds is shared with humanity by many birds and small mammals. Whole sunflower seeds are also used as ingredients in salads or other dishes. Although the usage of the whole seeds fairly widespread, it is after they are processed into an oil that sunflower seeds truly shine. Sunflower oil is a worthy alternative to peanut, canola or olive in cooking and industry. It received an early bump in popularity in the 18th century as the Orthodox Russian Church forbade the use of many other oils during Lent. This sort of niche exclusivity also sees the sunflower being used in situations where other oils would cause allergenic problems. Hypoallergenic latex and rubber can be created with sunflower oil. Similarly, in crop rotation, sunflowers’ allelopathic properties often afford them room in a farmer’s cycle. In situations were any oil will do, such as production of biodiesel, sunflower oil is often a cheaper alternative to olive oil. In some high oleic subspecies, sunflowers oil can even produce higher levels of monounsaturated fats than olive oil, making it an extremely effective carrier oil. After extraction of oil, the usefulness of the sunflower doesn’t end. Empty husks can be caked into livestock feed and the bulky stalk and leaves make for good material for compost or ensilage. Fiber can be processed from the stalk, which has been used experimentally for paper and fabrics. While growing, the sunflower can extract toxic elements from soil. After disasters such as Chernobyl, they have been used to successfully purify ponds of cesium-137 and strontium-90.

	Despite this high value and history of domestication, the sunflower grows wildly with surprising ease. Seeing batches in ditches along highways is a pleasant surprise, but this tenacity can be a source of headaches for farmers who have to deal with them intruding on fields of crops such as soybeans. Here, they take the status of a weed and can detract from yields by draining the soil of needed nutrients and “muscling out” the smaller plants. No amount of agricultural helpfulness can save it in these cases. Sunflowers are relatively difficult to cultivate, requiring more sophisticated machinery, a smaller window of harvest and more difficulty with insect infestations.

	Of course, it is not in the commercial benefits or logistical troubles that the legacy of the sunflower has been defined – or deified - in popular culture. Whether iconified as logo or rendered conceptual by Van Gogh’s impressionism, the unique but simple design of the wide head framed by petals has inspired mankind for millenniums. Truly blessed by evolution, the sunflower is sure to stay in front-porch gardens, commercial fields, industrial factories and in the hearts and minds of humanity.