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NAME: Woodland Sunflower

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Helianthus Strumosus / Asteraceae or Compositae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): 

CONDITIONS:
 

PARTS:	EDIBLE	TASTE	RAW/COOK	SEASON
All
Shoots
Leaves
Stalk/Stem
Buds
Flowers
Fruits
Pods
Seeds
Nuts
Roots			SOAK/COOK/PICKLE	Fall
Bark

 

PORTION: small-medium
 

COMMENT: No more details but root is probably used raw or cooked like the Jerusalem artichoke.(1) Helianthus strumosus, like its cousin the Jerusalem Artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus, has an edible root.(2) The roots of H. strumosus are one of the only edible parts of the plant. They can be boiled down to make a liquor that has been used to treat adults and children with worms. The roots can also be used to make an infusion to help with lung related problems. Seeds from this sunflower can be used to make an oil for cooking and soap making.(5)

CAUTION: If it acts like other sunflowers, inulin in root vegetables can cause flatulence, therefore soak 24 hours and throw off the water at least once before boiling or baking, as well as pickling may help.

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  “Anthelmintic;  Pectoral. A decoction of the roots has been used to get rid of worms in both adults and children. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of lung problems.” (1)

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:   https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Heliopsis+helianthoides (only flowers are edible)

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES:

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Helianthus+strumosus
2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/sunflowers-seeds-and-more
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helianthus_strumosus
4. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=Helianthus+Strumosus&title=Special%3ASearch&go=Go (good photos)
5. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/163636-Helianthus-strumosus
6. https://www.pennardplants.com/proddetail.php?prod=Ed0986
7. https://www.nature-and-garden.com/gardening/helianthis.html