Ox Eye Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
Ox Eye Sunflower, a ‘false sunflower’, is a native, cool season perennial forb that grows 3 to 5 feet tall. Smooth Ox Eye is adapted to full sunlight and dry to moderately moist soil conditions. It can be found growing in waste areas, roadsides, open woods, and edge of fields and thickets. It can be found on most tallgrass prairie sites and other open spaces, especially on dry soils. This species tolerates some drought and a wide range of soil types, including nutrient poor soils. Livestock and deer sometimes graze smooth oxeye. Its importance as a forage ranges from poor to good for cattle and sheep. Smooth Ox Eye is considered one of the best hardy plants for a wildflower garden border. It is considered especially suited and valuable for planting in dry locations.
Lifespan: perennial
Season: cool
Uses: amnenity grassland, reclamation, CRP, pollinator, wildlife habitat, biodiversity
Native or Introduced: Native
Annual Average Precipitation: 10 inches
Field Seeding Rate (lbs/acre): 8 to 10
Turf Seeding Rate (lbs/1000 s.f.): n/a
