- There are 38 varieties of perennial sunflower.sunflower image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
The sunflower belongs to genus Helianthus of the Aster family of flowering plants. While most sunflower varieties are annuals, there are 38 perennial varieties, all of which are native to North America. Cultivation of sunflower species goes back more than 2,000 years ago in North America, when the early woodlands peoples grew sunflowers for seeds, oil and edible tubers. Found in most parts of the United States, some perennial sunflower varieties grow in unexpected environments, such as ditches, alongside railroad tracks and in bogs. - Jerusalem artichoke grows edible tubers.fleur jaune image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
Helianthus tuberosus is a perennial sunflower variety long grown for food in North America. Early Native American peoples grew it for the starchy tubers on the plants' rhizomes. The tubers have a flavor similar to water chestnuts and can be cooked like potatoes. Jonathan R. Schultheis, horticultural expert at North Carolina State University, said the principal storage carbohydrate in harvested Jerusalem artichoke tubers is inulin, not starch. Inulin is converted into fructose in the digestive tract instead of glucose. This is a form of carbohydrate that can be tolerated by diabetics. Several varieties are available for cultivation. The plant likes well-drained, loamy soil and should be planted in early spring. Plant cut tuber sections 3 to 5 inches deep and 24 inches apart. - Beach sunflowers often are used to control erosion.Girasol image by Moremi from Fotolia.com
Beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis) is a perennial native sunflower grown along the Gulf Coast and in Florida. Often grown as a ground cover to control erosion, the beach sunflower produces showy flowers with bright yellow petals around a purplish brown center. The plant spreads rapidly and will grow 2 to 3 feet tall. Beach sunflower can be grown from seed or cuttings and can be planted from April to June in growing zones 8 and 9. Beach sunflower needs well-drained sandy soils and full sun. Beach sunflowers are attractive to butterflies and are drought and salt resistant. - Woodland sunflower is related to Jerusalem artichoke.Helianthus tuberosus image by kelly marken from Fotolia.com
The woodland sunflower (Helianthus divericatus) is a wild flower found growing in pine woodlands and along swamps and marshes. Woodland sunflower is a perennial sunflower variety that grows to 3 feet tall and produces large showy flowers. This variety of sunflower is found growing from Florida to Manitoba and has stiff sandpapery leaves. Woodland sunflower is closely related to Jerusalem artichoke but does not produce tubers growing on the plants rhizomes, according to Jefferson Davis Community College.
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