Question: Hello! I came across a Helianthus in central NY growing in a large patch in a partial opening in the …
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Question
Hello! I came across a Helianthus in central NY growing in a large patch in a partial opening in the canopy possibly caused by a landslide in the past. Lots of limestone around. It seems to have shorter involucral bracts (not exceeding the disk) of Helianthus strumosus, but its leaves had toothed margins, which I think would be more like Helianthus decapetalus. Leaves were very rough on both sides, stems with sparse hairs. Any ideas which Helianthus this might be? Thanks so much
Answer
Dear philterfeed, good morning. The involucral bracts are quite long and spreading loosely in your images, typical of Helianthus decapetalus. There are also evident petioles and glabrous stems (all typical of this species). The scabrous texture you note also points to H. decapetalus. It is hard to be confident from images, but the photographs are consistent with H. decapetalus.
