What is this plant? - Ask Extension
This has been growing in our flower beds, and it tends to take over. Grows about 5-6 feet tall. It looks like the one flowering picture. Are those tu...
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What is this plant? #928447
Asked April 15, 2026, 9:40 AM EDT
This has been growing in our flower beds, and it tends to take over. Grows about 5-6 feet tall. It looks like the one flowering picture. Are those tubers edible? How can we control it from spreading or get rid of it?
Decatur County Iowa
Expert Response
Based on what I can see in the photos, this appears to be a native sunflower (Helianthus). Many of them look relatively similar, and the defining characteristics that distinguish them cannot be seen in the photos. It is very possibly stiff sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus) or sawtooth sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus). It also resembles Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), which does have an edible tuber.
This link provides information on the various potential native sunflowers this could be, with links to more information and photos to help with identification.
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/search?kw=Helianthus
This link provides information on growing them in the landscape: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/perennial-sunflowers-home-landscape
--Aaron
This link provides information on the various potential native sunflowers this could be, with links to more information and photos to help with identification.
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/search?kw=Helianthus
This link provides information on growing them in the landscape: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/perennial-sunflowers-home-landscape
--Aaron
