helianthus

American  

[hee-lee-an-thuhs] / ˌhi liˈæn θəs /

noun

helianthuses plural

1. any composite plant of the genus Helianthus, comprising the sunflowers.

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helianthus British  

/ ˌhiːlɪˈænθəs /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Helianthus, such as the sunflower and Jerusalem artichoke, typically having large yellow daisy-like flowers with yellow, brown, or purple centres: family Asteraceae (composites)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• helianthaceous
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• helianthuses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of helianthus

From New Latin, dating back to 1770–80; see origin at heli- ¹, -anthous

Example Sentences

Sprays of helianthus dripped yellow pollen along the front gate.

From Washington Post • Sep. 3, 2021

Another gap can be plugged in late summer with the planting of the helianthus species — the hardy, perennial cousins of the giant sunflower and the wood aster.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2021

As naturally as the helianthus to the sun, did the faces of Elsie's little ones turn to her when in her loved presence.

From Elsie's Motherhood by Finley, Martha

But the lupin, the moss-pink, and the yellow wallflower, with all the varieties of the helianthus, the aster, and the solidago, spread their gay charms around.

From Wau-bun The Early Day in the Northwest by Kinzie, Juliette Augusta Magill

But none of the eighteen species of helianthus found south of our borders produces under cultivation the great plants that stand like a golden-helmeted phalanx in every old-fashioned garden at the North.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje