Sunflower
Their flower heads can be between 2 to 3 inches wide. They
are most commonly found in valleys with wet meadows or swamps. The Giant sunflower
grows between July and October.
To grow well, sunflowers need full sun. They grow best in fertile, moist, well-drained
soil with a lot of mulch. In commercial planting, seeds are planted 45 cm (1.5') apart and
2.5 cm (1") deep.
Sunflower "whole seed" (fruit) is sold as snacks and can be processed into a peanut butter
alternative, Sunbutter, especially in China, the United States, the Middle East and
Europe. In Russia it is probably the most wide spread snack.[citation needed] It is also sold as
food for birds and can be used directly in cooking and salads.
Sunflower oil, extracted from the seeds, is used for cooking (but is less cardiohealthy
than olive oil), as a carrier oil and to produce biodiesel, for which it is less expensive than
the olive product.
annaabi.ee 
