Plant · GBIF taxon 3119191
cucumberleaf sunflower
Helianthus debilisAlso known as Beach Sunflower, Weak Sunflower, East Florida Beach Sunflower, East Coast Dune Sunflower
Cucumberleaf sunflowers carpet coastal dunes and sandy soils with low-growing mats of bright yellow blossoms. Their sprawling stems and triangular, rough-textured leaves help bind loose sand against beach erosion and salt spray. Blooming almost year-round in frost-free regions, these resilient perennials offer an essential nectar source for coastal pollinators.
CoastalDrought-TolerantFlowering
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Grasshoppers
- Caterpillars
- Deer
ThreatsCoastal development, beach nourishment projects, invasive weed competition
HabitatsCoastal sand dunes, beach ridges, coastal scrub, disturbed sandy soils
Life spanPerennial (often grown as an annual in frost-prone zones)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAsteraceae
- SpeciesHelianthus debilis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Location: Look for low spreading mats along sunny Atlantic and Gulf Coast beach dunes.
- Season: Observe peak blooms during late spring and summer, extending into fall.
- Pollinators: Watch central disc flower clusters for visiting native bees and butterflies.
Close Relative (c) KENPEI, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Close Relative (c) Tero Laakso, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.