Discover Sunflowe: A Walk Through Our Gardens

Origin and species of Sunflower:

Sun flower is Greek in origin and its scientific name is Helianthus. Sun flower belongs to kingdom plantae and owns around 70 known species. Sun flower is the only flower in millions of flower which has the word flower in its name. An interesting fact about sun flower is that they are the symbol of faith, loyalty and adoration. Sun flowers grow with the movement of sun across the sky from east to west and this process is called heliotropism. The plant was first planted by Americans. Sunflower seeds were brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, where, along with sunflower oil, they became a widespread cooking ingredient. The name sunflower is derived from the flower head’s shape which resembles with sun.

Sunflower Oil and its nutritional value:

The most utilized ingredient of sunflower is its sunflower oil. This oil is used to soften leather as well as to soften hair. It is an effective cure for wounds and also used for cooking. This sun flower oil is rich in minerals such as calcium, iron etc and also rich in vitamin A and Vitamin D. Sunflowers are also an excellent source of Vitamin E, copper and Vitamin B1. Sunflower oil ranks second only to soybean oil in world vegetable oil production. Its high ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids and its good stability characteristics make sunflower oil highly attractive for use as a cooking oil or in salad oils and margarine.

Suitable climate for the growth of Sunflower:

The appealing bright-coloured flower grows throughout much of the summer and fall in many Asian countries. The appropriate timing for its bloom are summer and apportion of fall. However, middle of summer is the peak season for its growth. Sunflowers thrive in warmer weather and climates. They are known for their hardiness and the ability to survive extreme heat; however, the optimal temperatures for growing sunflowers is between 70 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit, with soil temperatures of at least 55 to 60 degrees when the seeds are sown.Sunflowers are one of the fastest growing plants and they grow tall. On an average they grow up to 8-12 feet within six months.

Sun flowers are one of the fastest growing tall plants. On average, their length is up to 8-12 feet and the time duration is around six months. A single sun flower can have up to 2000 seeds.

Medical Uses of Sunflower:

Special sun flower tea is consumed for ailments of lungs and malaria. In many countries, people make tea using its leaf. Many people use sun flower seeds in breakfast as they think it’s a great time to include sunflower seed in died. After adding a few tablespoons of sunflower oil to hot cereal, they enjoy their meals. Sun flower oil is used in salads, desserts and other savory dishes.