L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.154696
Element CodePDAST4N0H0
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 NamesHélianthe à feuilles étalées (FR) Spreading Sunflower (EN) woodland 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 Date2025-09-12
Change Date1984-12-10
Edition Date2025-09-12
Edition AuthorsJean Gagnon (1996), rev. Soteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsHelianthus divaricatus is a wide-ranging perennial herb found in mesic to dry woodlands and forests, forest edges, and open sites. It occurs in eastern and central North America from Ontario and Quebec, Canada, south to Florida, and west to Louisiana and Oklahoma in the United States. There are over 2,000 estimated occurrences, which are potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, 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 divaricatus occurs in eastern and central North America from Ontario and Quebec, Canada, south to northern Florida west to Louisiana and eastern Oklahoma in the United States (FNA 2006, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be over 3.4 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 2,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, invasive species, and other threats in some places. 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.