Coastal Plain Crownbeard

Plants 70–150+ cm (perennating bases ± horizontal rhizomes, internodes not winged). Leaves all or mostly opposite (distal sometimes alternate); blades ± elliptic, 3–6(–10) × 1.2–2.8(–3.5) cm, bases rounded, margins toothed, apices ± rounded to acute, faces hirsutulous to hispido-scabrellous or scabrellous. Heads (3–)12–25+ in ± paniculiform arrays. Involucres ± hemispheric, 8–10 mm diam. Phyllaries 16–24+ in 2–3 series, ± erect, linear, 2–3+ mm. Ray florets (5–)11–13; laminae (15–)25–30+ mm. Disc florets 40–60(–80+); corollas yellow. Cypselae purplish black, ± obovate, 4–5 mm, faces glabrous; pappi 0.5–1 mm. 2n = 34.

Helianthus aristatus Elliott, Sketch Bot. S. Carolina 2: 428. 1823