Plant #2: Helianthus annulus (“The Joker” Sunflower)

1. Light Green

2. Falcate

3. Comes to a point

4. Serrate

a. One middle finger

b. Half of a hand

5. Cross-Venulate

6. The petiole is one thumb

7. The venation is slightly more distinct

8. Small hairs cover the surface

This is “the joker” sunflower because of its double-bloom, which are the two rings of ray flowers that surround the cluster of disk flowers in the center. The coloring of the petals is ombre as they go from a deep rust color at the center to a bright yellow at the tips. This flower is a vascular plant and it is also a capitulum because of its contracted raceme and its flowers are attached to a thickened stem. An interesting fact about this plant is that Sunflowers are native to the Americas.