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Helianthus debilis var. vestitus
West Coast Dune Sunflower
Florida native
Endemic to Florida
An occasional wildflower of coastal dunes from Pinellas & Hillsborough Counties south into Lee County.
Helianthus debilis vestitus is one of three subspecies of dune sunflowers in Florida. Stems are decumbent, hairy, variously described as hirsute or villous, with ascending to erect flowering branches. The leaves are widest near the base, not constricted in the middle and gradually tapering towards the tip, coarsely and irregularly toothed with the underside densely gland-dotted. Peduncles are 9-15cm (3-1/2 - 6 in.) long. Flowers have yellow rays 12-16mm (<1/2 - 5/8 in.) long and dark disks 11-12mm (~7/16 in.) in diameter. West coast dune sunflower may flower all year.
Helianthus debilis is a member of the Asteraceae - Aster family.
Other species of the Helianthus genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Helianthus agrestis - SOUTHEASTERN SUNFLOWER
Helianthus angustifolius - NARROWLEAF SUNFLOWER
Helianthus debilis var. debilis - EAST COAST DUNE SUNFLOWER
Helianthus radula - RAYLESS SUNFLOWER
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
Wildflowers of the Southeastern United States profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Oct 31, 2020
