Raf.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.149618
Element CodePDAST4N0R0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusHelianthus
Other Common Nameshairy sunflower (EN) Hairy Sunflower (EN) Hélianthe hérissé (FR) Whiskered Sunflower (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-11-11
Change Date1985-10-11
Edition Date2025-11-11
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsHelianthus hirsutus is a wide-ranging perennial herb found in dry, open sites, including woodlands, woodland edges, and roadsides. It occurs in eastern and central North America, with a native range from Pennsylvania west to Minnesota and South Dakota south to northern Florida and Texas in the United States and Coahuila and Nuevo León in Mexico. It is introduced in Ontario, Canada and the northeastern United States. There are over 1000 occurrences, which face threats from development, rights-of-way maintenance, fire suppression, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsHelianthus hirsutus occurs in eastern and central North America, with a native range from Pennsylvania west to Minnesota and South Dakota south to northern Florida and Texas in the United States and Coahuila and Nuevo León in Mexico. It is introduced in Ontario, Canada and the northeastern United States (FNA 2006, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be over 3.5 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 1000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, fire suppression, invasive species, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species (NatureServe 2025). However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats.