This year my husband and I drove to the area in the spring to see how the sunflowers were coming along. To my dismay there didn't appear to be any sunflowers in the fields. In fact, it didn't even look like anything was planted. In early August I started seeing posts online about the sunflower fields and wondered where they might be planted. As it turns out it was in the same area, the farmer had just rotated the fields and last year's field had corn and soybeans and just a bit further down the road there were several fields of sunflowers. I was delighted and made several trips down there to photograph the sunflowers at various times of the day. The photos on this page are from an early morning trip when the sunflowers were in great light.
Fun Facts about Sunflowers
- Young sunflowers track the sun from sunrise to sunset. This is called heliotropism. Once the flowers are mature they all face east.
- Sunflowers are valuable for growers, both commercially and ornamentally.
- Sunflower oil has an anti-inflammatory effect.
- There are two types of sunflower seed products. The oilseed type are good for birds and they are the most commonly farmed. The non-oilseed are good for human consumption.
- The oils in sunflowers can reduce cholesterol levels.
- Sunflowers are native to the United States but are now planted worldwide.
More Fun Fact about Sunflowers
- To be healthy sunflowers require at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
- There are thousands of tiny flowers that compose a sunflowers head.
- The tallest sunflower grown was over 30 feet tall.
- Sunflowers started out being grown as a food source.
- Sunflowers can be made into sunbutter.
- Sunflowers are not just yellow. They can be red, brown, and even purple.
In the photo below you can see a bee working on the sunflower and see up close the structure of the sunflower head.
Zazzle Products from my Photos
References and More Sunflower Reviews
Here is the website where I got the information for the sunflower fun facts. www.proflowers.com
Sunflowers are a popular topic on Review This. Here are a few more you may want to check out.
This is one I wrote in 2018. It gives you tips on photographing Sunflowers.
In this review that I wrote in 2021 I share the stages of a sunflower and my photos from that season.
Fellow reviewer, Olivia, shares this review on sunflowers being the flower for the year in 2021.
Missouri River
A bonus to our early morning outing was to catch the sun rising above the Missouri River.
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I've always loved the Sunflower, the State Flower of Kansas, since I went to collage in Kansas, married a Kansas boy and once again live back in Kansas. :) Plus, I have one of your lovely Sunflower magnets. I enjoyed your fun facts about this beautiful flower and viewing your beautiful photographs.
ReplyDeleteLike you Mary Beth, I also love sunflowers and you capture them in their most spectacular beauty. Thanks for including me in your review. You know that I'll just admire and admire and admire them all. Your pictures are amazing! Thanks for all the information too!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so glad you found the sunflower field. Silly farmer should have put a sign up in front of the previous location directing you to the currently planted field :) My husband's favorite flower is the sunflower. I am sure he would enjoy a trip to see the sunflower fields too. btw, I didn't realize sunflower oil could reduce cholesterol levels. Very interesting facts and lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteI love sunflowers too and have grown some myself. Interesting fact is that rabbits enjoy sunflower seedlings, so sometimes I've had better luck growing them than at other times. I didn't know about there being two types of seeds as far as eating them goes. Interesting. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteSunflowers are my friend Dena’s favorite flowers, too. I can imagine your initial disappointment at seeing none at all in their previous location, and then your delight at discovering the new 🌻 field! I really enjoy Sunbutter, a delicious spread very similar to peanut butter. Thanks for sharing these fun sunflower facts!
ReplyDeleteSunflowers are pure happiness, it's as though the entire world is smiling when you see a field of them! And wow what a field you featured here, gorgeous. Your photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love your fun facts about Sunflowers and your beautiful photos. I often grow sunflowers and a whole field of them must be stunning. Such a happy flower :)
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