Sunflowers are amazing plants. I’m really excited to bring you some fun and interesting sunflower facts for kids today. The bright face of the Sunflower always seems to be smiling as they turn towards the sun. Not only do sunflowers make you feel blissful, but they are also important to the environment as they provide food for many birds, bees, and small animals.
Sunflower belongs to the family of Asteraceae, having a large rounded flower head. With stem that often reaches heights of 10 feet or 3 meters and a flower head can grow up to 12 inches or 30 cm in width. The leaves are broad and about 3-12 inches long.
Sunflowers are named as they bloom from east to west following the sun. They are useful in numerous ways. For example, Sunflower leaves are used to feed many animals. The flower is used to make a yellow dye, and the seeds contain yellow oil, which is used in cooking or making paints and soaps.
Lets dive into these wonderful flowering plants. Stick around as I bring you some of the most fun and interesting facts about sunflowers for kids.
Sunflower Facts For Kids
Sunflower Fast Facts
Common Name – Sunflower
Binomial Name – Helianthus
Plant Type – Flowering Plant
Family – Asteraceae
Genus – Helianthus
Order – Asterales
Fun & Interesting Facts About Sunflowers
I have compiled some of the most fun and interesting sunflower facts for kids. Sunflowers really are amazing plants. It’s going to be a lot of fun to dive into how they work and some interesting facts. Growing sunflowers is easy and a lot of fun. If you ever get the chance, grow some in your yard and see how impressive they really are!
- Sunflower means flower of the sun. Its scientific name is Helianthus Annuus, where Helios is a sun and Anthus is a flower.
- As per the Guinness World Record, the world record for Sunflower’s most number of heads is reported as 837.
- Sunflower in French is “Tournesol,” which signifies the plant that turns with the sun.
- The flower head of the Sunflower is an inflorescence. It is made of hundreds of small flowers known as florets.
- On August 28, 2014, Guinness World Records confirmed the tallest Sunflower is more than 30 feet in height.
- Sunflower is Kansas’s state flower and Ukraine’s national flower.
- Sunflower is the native plant to North America.
- A sunflower plant can have about 2000 seeds.
- Sunflower plants are generally yellow, but they are also seen in purple and red color.
- In 2012, Sunflower seeds traveled to space with Don Petit, the astronaut.
- Sunflower symbolizes adoration, loyalty, and faith.
- Sunflowers eliminate the contaminants from the soil and are known as phytoremediators.
Keep reading below for more fun sunflower facts for kids!
Fun Sunflower Gift Ideas On Amazon!
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More Fun Sunflower Facts For Kids!
Lets talk about the history, types and cultural value of sunflowers!
History
Being native to North America, the commercialization of the Sunflower happened in Russia. Lately, the Sunflower came back to North America to develop into a cultivated crop. However, the plant was domesticated into a single-headed plant by American Indians.
Uses By American Indian Tribes
American Indian tribes used Sunflower in many ways. The seeds were pounded or grounded into flour for bread, cakes, or mush. The seeds were also used as a snack. There is also evidence that the oil was squeezed from seeds for making bread.
Some parts of the plant were used as a medical ointment for snakebites. The seed oil was applied to hair and skin. Moreover, the seeds and plants were immensely used in many traditional ceremonies.
Types Of Sunflower
Sunflower comes in different types and varieties. The giant Sunflower is Mammoth Russians, which produce big round heads with vibrant yellow petals measuring about a foot. Also, the plant can grow about 10 ft tall.
Another type of Sunflower is a dwarf that produces smaller flowers in different colors such as deep, bright red or orange, and light yellow.
Sunflower Q&A For Children
I went ahead and put together some of the most common questions I see in regards to sunflowers. Hopefully, if you have any questions about sunflowers, they will be answered below!
How Did Sunflower Get Its Name?
The Sunflower refers to the annual species of common Sunflower or Helianthus Annuus. The word sunflower derives from the Greek word, helios which means sun. It’s combined with the word anthos which means flower. Put them together and what do you get? Sunflower! The round flower head blooms and glows as it turns towards the sun. If you have ever grown your own sunflower, you will see that the name it was given is basically perfect.
Can You Eat Sunflower Heads?
Apart from Sunflower seeds, there are more parts of the sunflower plant that you can use and eat. These include the Sunflower heads. You can enjoy the delicate taste of buds and petals of the Sunflower plant. The greens of the plants are edible. Moreover, the Sunflower sprouts are mild, whereas the older leaves can be fibrous and tough.
Can Sunflower Grow In Hot Weather?
Sunflowers thrive when they are provided with more than 6 hours of undeviating sunlight. They prefer the days when sunlight stays for a more extended period, especially during summers. The warmer climate and weather are essential for the full growth of the Sunflower.
The ideal temperature required for a Sunflower to grow is 70-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though more sun will get you better sunflowers they can still be grown anywhere that has summer months. You can plant them in spring and watch them grow all summer long. You can then harvest the seeds or cut the stems & heads to put in a vase for decoration. You can even wait until later fall to use them as harvest or Halloween decorations!
Do Sunflower Die After They Bloom?
Sunflowers growing as annuals usually die after producing the flower heads going to seed. The plants do not bloom and grow again. The annual varieties are cultivated because of their showy flower heads, edible seeds, and large size. You will have to re-plant your sunflower garden every year!
What Is The Use Of Sunflower Oil?
Sunflower Oil is usually light in appearance and taste. It contains more Vitamin E as compared to regular vegetable oils. It is known for its health benefits as it has low saturated fat levels. You can find three different types of sunflower oil available in the market, including linoleic, high oleic, and NuSun sunflower oil.
Are Sunflower Seed Hulls Or Shells Harmful To Eat?
The sunflower seeds hulls or shells are generally just mostly fiber. However, if hulls are not properly chewed, the sharp pieces can attach or puncture the linings of the digestive tract or esophagus. If you are going to eat the sunflower seed shells, make sure to chew them up really good before swallowing! Or better yet, just shell them in your mouth or buy pre shelled sunflower seeds!
What Are The Different Growing Stages Of Sunflower?
Sunflower goes through four main development stages, including the vegetative stage, reproductive stage, ripening state, and dieback or senescence. It is important to recognize and understand the stages of the Sunflower to help with the growth process.
Check out some other great fact articles on coolfactsforkids.com!
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Final Thoughts
In many different cultures, a sunflower is identified with strength and positivity. Moreover, Sunflower means long-lasting happiness and good fortune in Chinese culture. Thus, sunflowers are not just herbicidal plants, but they also hold importance in people’s life and represent something great for cultural purposes.
If you want to brighten someone’s day and show their importance in your life, a vibrant sunflower is what you need. We hope that these fun sunflower facts for kids have helped you out. If you enjoyed learning about sun flowers please share this article on your favorite social media platform. You can do that at the floating bar in the upper left of the screen.
