Helianthus argophyllus Torr. & A. Gray, Asteraceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

English: silverleaf sunflower

Samoan: siola‘a

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Coarse annual herb 1.5-2 m high...; stems densely white-tomentose to -floccose; leaf blades ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 15-25 cm long and nearly as broad, densely white-lanate-sericeous with long silky hairs; ray flowers 15 or more, 2.5-3.5 cm long, yellow to orange-yellow; disk flowers usually deep purple; achenes 4-6 mm long" (Smith, 1991; pp. 278-279).

Habitat/ecology:  "Well-drained soils in sunny places are preferred" (Whistler, 2000; p. 242).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  North America (Smith, 1991; pp. 278-279).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 278-279) Voucher cited: DA 12354
Japan (offshore islands) Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 92)

Additional information:
Additional online information about Helianthus argophyllus is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Helianthus argophyllus as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Helianthus argophyllus may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Kato, Hidetoshi. 2007. Herbarium records of Makino Herbarium, Tokyo Metropolitan University. Personal communication.

Smith, Albert C. 1991. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Volume 5. 626 pp.

Swarbrick, John T. 1997. Weeds of the Pacific Islands. Technical paper no. 209. South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. 124 pp.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2009. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Whistler, W. A. 2000. Tropical ornamentals: a guide. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. 542 pp.