Sunflower Varieties
(Helianthus annuus)
Sunflowers are tall showy, usually yellow flowers grown for their seeds. The flower head is composed of the showy perimeter ray flowers and the inner disc florets which produce the seeds. As well as being an ornamental plant that attracts pollinators, sunflower seeds are pressed for oil or used whole as a snack food or ingredient in cereals, snack mixes and snack bars.
Peredovik
A Russian oilseed sunflower that matures in about 110 days. It is grown for quality cooking oil.
Rostov
An oilseed variety that produces very large 30 cm heads on 2 m, sturdy wind-resistant stalks.
Russian Mammoth
A very large sunflower head grown for its edible white and black striped seeds. ‘Skyscraper’ is the only variety that grows taller.
Skyscraper
Strong stalks grow up to 4m high with large, bright yellow flower heads.
Sunspot
A dwarf confection sunflower producing 25cm wide heads filled with edible seeds.
Chiang Dao
A local variety that averages 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in height. The flowers are around 15 cm (6 in) across and petals are yellow in color. The seeds have a striped pattern and the kernel is quite tasty.
Black Seed
Local northern Thai variety with kernels black in color. Can grow between 2-3 m (6.5-10 ft) in height.