Sunflower Power

A bright sight has just begun to bloom in the garden: sunflowers. Named so because of how they tilt throughout the day to follow the sun's rise and set. This "heliotrophism" ends when they are full grown. By then, they have learned to face east.

Helianthus (Greek for sunflower) has a number of nourishing uses. Sunflower oil is a healthy alternative to vegetable oil and sunflower seeds are an irresistible snack harboring several nutrients which are often missing from American diets, including vitamin A, E, C, calcium, magnesium, potassium and fiber.