Ashy Sunflower, Downy Sunflower

Helianthus mollis

hee-lee-AN-thus  MAW-liss

Synonyms of Helianthus mollis (4) (Updated on 8-5-26 from Plants of the World Online): Helianthus canescens Michx. (1803), Helianthus mollis var. cordatus S.Watson (1889), Helianthus mollis f. flavidus Steyerm. (1953), Helianthus pubescens Vahl (1791)

Helianthus mollis Buc’hoz is the accepted scientific name for this species. It was first named as such by Joseph Pierre Buc’hoz in Herbier Colorie de l’Amerique in 1783 in his illustration (Plate LXI). 

Some websites and databases use the scientific name Helianthus mollis Buc’hoz ex Lam. as the accepted scientific name. It was described as such by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in Encyclopédie méthodique in 1789. In this publication, Mr. Lamarck gave Mr. Buc’hoz credit for first naming the species although he wrote no description. 

The genus, Helianthus L., was named as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of August 8, 2026 when this page was first updated, Plants of the World Online lists 56 species in the Helianthus genus. It is a member of the plant family Asteraceae with 1,710 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Helianthus mollis is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple where it has been introduced. The map on the USDA Plants Database for North America is similar. No map is perfect, but they do give a general idea.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations. I post all my observations on iNaturalist.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A POSITIVE ID.

Until May 4 in 2025, I had been identifying wildflowers on the family farm, a friends farm and woods, along back roads and highways, etc. Then, on May 4 in 2025, a friend invited me to visit a private native prairie. It was incredible and I photographed 11 new to me species! We went back again on 4-19-26. I took friends on May 3, and there wasn’t much to see then. Then, on June 8 in 2026, he took me to the Lordi Marker Prairie then to Drover’s Prairie where I photographed 19 species, 10 new to me. On 6-22-26, I took my son, and we went to the Friendly Prairie for the first time, then on to the Lordi Marker and Drover’s Prairie. I photographed 22 species at the Friendly Prairie, 6 species at Lordi Marker Prairie, and 17 species at Drover’s Prairie. 11 more new to me. 

While at the Friendly and Lordi Marker Prairies on June 22 in 2026, there were quite a few Helianthus mollis, but most were just in bud. When I went back on July 28, there were a lot more flowers. NICE! Helianthus mollis was a new-to-me species so, I was very glad to have the opportunity to see it in person at the prairies.

I wanted to get the photos online ASAP, but I will come back to this page at some point and write descriptions. There are several links at the bottom of the page with a lot of information and very good descriptions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will continue going back to the three prairies, and possibly others, to take more photos and see what else I can find.

I live on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be variable from location to location, so that can be a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and they have provided much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
USDA PLANT GUIDE
iNATURALIST
U.S. FOREST SERVICE
MISSOURI PLANTS
MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
GO BOTANY
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS NATIVE PLANTS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
SAG MORAINE
SEINet

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂