SAN ANGELO, TX — A San Angelo LIVE! reader shared a photo of a sunflower, displaying a heart shape in the middle of its flower head.
Vanessa Guevara stated that the sunflower was planted by her 10-year-old cousin Taela in the front yard of her home.
Guevara described it as "very neat and beautiful."
Sunflowers are not only visually striking but also hold several interesting facts. They are heliotropic, meaning they turn their heads to follow the sun throughout the day. This characteristic is most pronounced in young sunflowers and is a phenomenon called "phototropism."
Historically, sunflowers have been cultivated for thousands of years, originating from North America. They were used by indigenous peoples for food, oil, and dye. Today, sunflowers are grown worldwide for their seeds and oil, which are rich in nutrients and beneficial compounds, information stated.
Additionally, sunflowers are known for their role in phytoremediation, the process of using plants to remove toxins from the soil. They have been planted in areas affected by radiation, such as the Chernobyl disaster site, to help absorb radioactive isotopes from the ground.
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