Some species of Fleabane grow in dense masses and, in early spring, carpet the meadows and roadsides. The ray flowers of the Fleabanes are generally twice as numerous per head as are the ray flowers of the Asters. The plants are quite similar in other respects.
Fleabane
98. MOUNTAIN SUNFLOWERSunflower Family
Helianthella uniflora
Sunflowers abound in these parks during the late summer. As the early summer flowers, mostly in blues and purples, fade, the yellow and red flowers come on. This is especially true in the alpine meadows of Cedar Breaks in August when the predominant species are the Sunflowers.
The seeds of the Sunflowers supply abundant food for many birds and small mammals.
Mountain Sunflower
99. COMMON SUNFLOWERSunflower Family
Helianthus annuus
The very large flowers of these plants sometimes present a colorful display as they take over the roadways or abandoned fields. Members of this group are generally considered weeds because of their habit of crowding out the more desirable species. Certain species of Sunflowers are now being developed for commercial purposes and produce oil for cooking and meal for livestock feed. Indians in some areas of North America cultivated sunflowers for food and for trade.