American... but big in Russia

Sunflowers (Latin name Helianthus) come originally from the Americas, where they were cultivated for food.

Native Americans ground the seeds into flour for cakes or bread or ate them as a snack.

The oil of the seed was used on skin and hair and the stalk was used as a building material.

The flowers’ ability to turn during the day to follow the sun is known as heliotropism.

Russia is one of the biggest producers of sunflower oil.

Its popularity there flourished when the Russian Orthodox Church banned most oily foods during Lent, but did not include sunflowers.