helianthus

American  

[hee-lee-an-thuhs] / ˌhi liˈæn θəs /

noun

plural

helianthuses

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

• helianthaceous adjective

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

The tall stalks of the helianthus bend and rise in long undulations, like billows on a golden sea.

From The Scalp Hunters by Stewart, F.A.

So the tiger-lily and the columbine must be sought in the mountains, the rose and sweetbrier on low ground, the night-shades and the helianthus in the timbered cañons and gulches.

From Our Italy by Warner, Charles Dudley

Important September blooming flowers are phlox, Japanese anemones; perennial asters, or Michaelmas daisy, so-called because they are supposed to be at their best on Michaelmas Day, September 29th; helleniums, helianthus, hardy chrysanthemum, pyrethrum uliginosum, boltonia.

From Trees, Fruits and Flowers of Minnesota, 1916 Embracing the Transactions of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society,Volume 44, from December 1, 1915, to December 1, 1916, Including the Twelve Numbers of "The Minnesota Horticulturist" for 1916 by Latham, A. W.