A beautiful sunflower with red Dahlias in the background…There is a common misconception is that sunflowers track the sun. In fact, mature flowerheads typically face east and do not move. The leaves and buds of young sunflowers do exhibit heliotropism (sun turning). Their orientation changes from east to west during the course of a day. The movements become a circadian response and when plants are rotated 180 degrees, the old response pattern is still followed for a few days, with leaf orientation changing from west to east instead. The leaf and flowerhead bud phototropism occurs while the leaf petioles and stems are still actively growing, but once mature, the movements stop. These movements involve the petioles bending or twisting during the day then unbending or untwisting at night.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Southland New Zealand Feb. 2012
The Sun On A Cloudy Day – Sunflower *

I would like to Dedicate this one to Maree Thank you for your lovely comments, support and for sharing your beautiful work with us.
*Bombus In A Sea Of Pollen! – Bumblebee On Sunflower

Natures Perfection – Sunflower

The Sun On A Cloudy Day – Sunflower