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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Universal attraction to sunflowerOn my way up to the Block I pass fields of sunflowers. I know we say paddocks, but fields in this context seems right. I always watch to see if, as we have believed, their heads are turned towards the sun. Sunflowers or Helianthus annuus derive their name from the Greek helios which means ‘sun’ and anthos which means ‘flower’. The idea that the sunflower head tracks the sun across the sky, a process called heliotropism, has not been proven. Most observations concur that the immature buds can exhibit this behaviour but the mature flower head tends to face east which gives the impression of tracking the sun.
Last weekend the sunflower truly lived up to its name providing sun and light to a grey, blustery wet summer day. My niece Ellen had planned a beach wedding and when the day proved to be the one inclement day of the entire month, the sunflowers she had chosen for herself and her bridesmaids provided a luminous and joyful contrast. Cheerful bunches of sunflowers beamed down from the walls of the venue and the bouquets lit up the wedding party. She could not have picked a more appropriate flower for the occasion. Sunflowers are an annual plant originally from America and there is evidence to suggest that it was cultivated from as early as 3000BC. The plant was taken from America by the Spanish and spread across Europe. The Russians were accredited with the development of the modern day sunflower and by the early 19th century were growing sunflowers on a large commercial scale for both oil and human consumption. Sunflowers are easy to grow and are an ideal plant for children. I remember when my daughter Anna was small, growing a huge sunflower that completely dwarfed her. The seeds are best planted where they are to grow. Although they can be grown in pots and transplanted they are happier undisturbed. Sunflowers thrive in long hot summers and require 6 – 8 hours of sunshine a day. Because they can be harvested in 70 – 80 days children can watch visible progress taking place. Large sunflowers may require stakes. There are now many varieties of sunflowers with colours ranging from yellow through orange to red. Heights vary as well and they can be incorporated into the vegetable garden. The flower head of the mature sunflower has outer petals and an arrangement of florets inside the circular head which mature into seeds. These florets are always in a spiral pattern and the mathematician Vogel devised a mathematical model for the florets in 1979. Artists have always been attracted to the sunflower. The artist Vincent van Gogh’s famous still life paintings of sunflowers have been reproduced in many forms for everyone to enjoy. Sunflowers supply us with beautiful blooms and also the highly nutritious sunflower seeds which can be eaten as a snack or toasted and tossed into salads. Stock also benefit from sunflowers as I have observed on my last trip to the Block. One field of sunflowers has been completely consumed. HIGHLIGHT: Ellen and bridesmaids. Bright sunflower arrangements provide a colourful contrast. – PHOTO/ Anita Pitu Photography |
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