Plant Profile: Helianthus debilis, Beach Sunflower
By Kelsey Olsen and Stephanie Shankle This post is one of a series from professor Nisse Goldberg's Botany students at Jacksonville University. Figure 1. Helianthus debilis , note heart-shaped leaves and yellow ray flowers with red-brown disc flowers. Photo credit: Shirley Denton. Going to catch some waves? If you're lucky, you'll see some beach sunflower, Helianthus debilis, also known as east coast dune sunflower. This Florida native and member of the aster family (Asteraceae) can be found on beaches and in dunes along the east coast and has been introduced up the coast to North Carolina. As its common names suggest, it can survive in dunes where it may be exposed to salt spray and salty soils. Despite its fondness for waterfront areas, Helianthus debilis does not do well in flooded areas. Two subspecies also occur in the state. One of these, H. debilis ssp. cucumerifolius (cucumberleaf dune sunflower), is common in Florida's central and western c