Virginia Tech Dendrology

slender sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus gracilentus A. Gray symbol: HEGR3
Leaf: Opposite, simple, tardily deciduous to evergreen, lanceolate to somewhat ovate, 4 inches long, entire or finely serrate margins, yellow-green above, pale and gland-dotted below.
Flower: Very attractive and chocolate-scented, bright yellow daisy-like flowers, each 2 inches across, appearing at the ends of twigs on long stalks (elevating the flowers well above leaves) late spring through early fall.
Fruit: A composite of small achenes, each 1/8 inch long with 2 tufted hairs.
Twig: Barely woody, red-brown and gray-fuzzy.
Bark: Gray and shallowly furrowed.
Form: Small, marginally woody, sparse mounding shrub up to 3 feet tall and equally as wide.

Additional Range Information: Helianthus gracilentus is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information