prairie wildflower
Slender sunflower
Helianthus gracilentus
Native to California
Central and southern California outer Coast Ranges
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 6 ft to 1.8 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its yellow flowers peak in June. At up to 6 ft, it needs room in meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Slender sunflower's yellow flowers bloom April to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws butterflies and beetles.
Slender sunflower blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Marine Blue also Acmon Blue, Funereal Duskywing, Satyrium dryope
- Beetles Acmaeodera hepburnii also Acmaeodera bacchariphaga
- Bees Timberlake's Resin-Leafcutter
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Gorgone checkerspotcaterpillar host
- Silvery checkerspotcaterpillar host
- Acmon bluenectar
- Marine bluenectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Central and southern California outer Coast RangesThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Dry soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 6 ft (to 1.8 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- Achene; ripens Jun–NovThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.