Adaptations to Sun and Shade in Helianthus schweinitzii
Session Title
Poster Session 2
Faculty Mentor
Kunsiri Grubbs, Ph.D.
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Helianthus schweinitzii commonly known as Schweinitz’s Sunflower is a federally endangered species of the Asteraceae. The Schweinitz’s Sunflower is native to the North and South Carolina Piedmont regions and is regularly seen in disturbed areas, prairies, and under power lines where there is nutrient-poor clay soil. A 10 x 10m prairie plot with approximately 2000 plants was surveyed and split into two sides based on plants exposure to the sun and to the shade. Data collected from the plot indicated a few to no differences in soil pH, temperature, or moisture between the two locations. Morphological differences noted from plants in the sun and in the shade indicate optimal growing conditions based on observed differences in leaf length and width, color, and number of inflorescences and seeds. Determining better growing conditions of Schweinitz’s Sunflower is vital to improving rehabilitation efforts in the Piedmont region.
Previously Presented/Performed?
Winthrop University Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, Rock Hill, SC, April 2023.
Type of Presentation
Poster presentation
Grant Support?
Supported by an SC-INBRE grant from the National Institute for General Medical Sciences (P20GM103499).
Start Date
15-4-2023 12:00 PM
Adaptations to Sun and Shade in Helianthus schweinitzii
Helianthus schweinitzii commonly known as Schweinitz’s Sunflower is a federally endangered species of the Asteraceae. The Schweinitz’s Sunflower is native to the North and South Carolina Piedmont regions and is regularly seen in disturbed areas, prairies, and under power lines where there is nutrient-poor clay soil. A 10 x 10m prairie plot with approximately 2000 plants was surveyed and split into two sides based on plants exposure to the sun and to the shade. Data collected from the plot indicated a few to no differences in soil pH, temperature, or moisture between the two locations. Morphological differences noted from plants in the sun and in the shade indicate optimal growing conditions based on observed differences in leaf length and width, color, and number of inflorescences and seeds. Determining better growing conditions of Schweinitz’s Sunflower is vital to improving rehabilitation efforts in the Piedmont region.
