Helianthus Praecox

Helianthus praecox is a North American species of sunflower known by the common name Texas sunflower. It is endemic to Texas. Most of the populations are either along the Gulf Coast or in the Río Grande Valley.

Helianthus praecox
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Helianthus
Species:	H. praecox
Binomial name
Helianthus praecox Engelm. & A.Gray
Synonyms
Synonymy Helianthus cucumerifolius var. praecox (Engelm. & A.Gray) A.Gray Helianthus debilis subsp. praecox (Engelm. & A.Gray) Heiser Helianthus debilis subsp. hirtus Heiser, syn of subsp. hirtus Helianthus debilis subsp. runyonii Heiser, syn of subsp. runyonii Helianthus praecox var. runyonii (Heiser) B.L.Turner, syn of subsp. runyonii

Helianthus praecox grows on sandy soils and coastal prairies. It is an annual herb up to 150 cm (60 inches or 5 feet) tall. One plant usually produces 1-3 flower heads, each containing 11-16 yellow ray florets surrounding 35 or more red or purple disc florets.

Subspecies

• Helianthus praecox subsp. hirtus (Heiser) Heiser - near Carrizo Springs in Dimmit County
• Helianthus praecox subsp. praecox - sandy soils along the coast in Galveston County + Brazoria County
• Helianthus praecox subsp. runyonii (Heiser) Heiser - Coastal prairies (from Calhoun County to Cameron County) and Río Grande Valley (from Webb County to Cameron County)