The Woodland Sunflower: Habitat

Range & Habitat:The native Woodland Sunflower is common in NE and SE Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is occasional. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, sandy woodlands, thinly wooded bluffs, upland savannas and sandy savannas, woodland borders, sandy and non-sandy thickets, limestone glades, hill prairies, and moist to dry-mesic sand prairies. While this sunflower is normally found in relatively dry upland habitats, sometimes it also occurs in moist sandy habitats. Occasional wildfires tend to increase populations of Woodland Sunflower as this reduces competition from woody vegetation