A Very Tall Wildflower

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus), an herbaceous perennial that can grow to 5 – 7 feet tall. A member of the Aster family (Asteraceae) which is native to eastern and central North America.

The nectar and pollen of the Woodland Sunflower are quite popular with a wide variety of insects including bees, butterflies and skippers, flies, and beetles. The seeds of the flowers are eaten by many birds and mammals.

Flowers that are seen along sunny trails up here, and along Skyline Drive. A beautiful flower that says, “Happiness” to me!

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Published by

Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.