RANCHING


What Plant is Important for April? Sunfl ower (Helianthus annuus)


T


HE DISTINCTIVE AND FAMILIAR SUN- fl ower is one of the most widely


recognized “weeds” in the South- west. It is a native, warm season annual plant that is found through- out the country and grows in many soil types. Its appearance is often a result of soil disturbance. • Showy plant that can reach heights of more than 6 feet and form dense stands


• Can be identifi ed by the rough feel of the leaves and stems


• Leaves are covered in rough hairs that can be abrasive to the touch


• Bright yellow fl owers that can grow up to 4 inches in diam- eter and are on the ends of the plant stem


• Very poor forage for livestock, but the sm all black seeds make excellent feed for mourning dove, turkey, bobwhite quail and a host of song birds


• Seed can be purchased commer- cially for wildlife plantings


The sunfl ower can be a very


troublesome plant for farmers because it competes for sunlight and uses a tremendous amount of moisture.


48 The Cattleman April 2015 Editor’s note: Kent Ferguson, retired rangeland management specialist


from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is providing us with plant identifi cation photo stories to help ranchers identify those forbs, forages and species growing in the pastures. Additional photos provided by USDA NRCS, and USDA.


thecattlemanmagazine.com


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