The sunflower has many meanings.

Sunflower Rings

 The symbolism of sunflowers is positive, hopeful, optimistic and happiness and so sunflower gifts also symbolize hope, optimism and happiness.

The sunflower has many meaning

The History of the Sunflower. The story of sunflower (Helianthus Annuus ) is amazing. The sunflower, known in scientific circles as the Helianthus, is a genus composed of nearly 70 species of plants. The wild sunflower is native to North America but commercialization of the plant took place in Russia. With only a few residing in South America but  all most the found in Central and North America, In Mexico and the Southern United States. But it was the American Indian who first domesticated the plant into a single headed plant around 1,000 years ago, who raised the flower as a crop for food and other items. In the early 16th century, it was brought back to Europe. Fossilized remains have been found in North America dating as far back as 3,000 years ago.

Species of Sunflowers

Sunflowers are some of the best types of flowers you should have in your garden. With more than 70 varieties. Some species of sunflowers are annual while others are perennial. Posters of  one or more flower heads, the sunflower petals. With generally flashy yellow florets that resemble the shape of a heart. That will  grow quite tall, with some species growing as tall as 300 cm or even higher. Those seeds, hermaphrodite in nature, can self-pollinate or attract pollen from the surrounding flowers and with the help of insects. Sunflowers  usually lean towards the sun, which has led to their receiving their name.

 Greek Myth

The sunflower has many stories assigned to it, one of which stems from Greece.  A nymph named Clytie fell deeply in love Apollo, god of the sun. In time, Apollo lost interest in her and fell in love with another nymph. When Clytie discovered this, she became very jealous and told the other Nymphs father, who in a rage, buried her alive. After nine days of hopeless devotion, the nymph then transformed herself into a sunflower and constantly turned towards the sun so she face the one she truely loved. When Apollo found out, he turned Clytie into a flower.  Apollo did not reciprocate her feelings, or acknowledge it. 

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are popular in trail mix, multi-grain bread and nutrition bars, as well as for snacking straight from the bag. Packed full of vitamins such as calcium, vitamin E, Selenium, and other important nutrients, the sunflower seed is one of the world’s most popular snack. There is some research suggesting that they can help with diabetes and high blood pressure. Sunflower oil is a very popular cooking oil pressed from the seeds of the sunflower. Mainly composed of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, it is produced extensively in the Ukraine and Russia. Almost 20 million tons of sunflower seed oil is produced annually.

The main nutrients in 1 ounce (30 grams or 1/4 cup) of shelled, dry-roasted sunflower seeds are (3):

 

The sunflower has many meanings.