From the archive record
Sunflower fields in Karnal, Haryana. Sunflowers are grown to harvest a light cooking oil in India. It is said to be healthy for the heart too. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) most commonly grow to heights between 1.5 and 3.5 m (5--12 ft). Scientific literature reports that a 12 m (40 ft), traditional, single-head, sunflower plant was grown in Padua in 1567. The same seed lot grew almost 8 m (26 ft) at other times and places, including Madrid. During the 20th century, heights of over 8 m have been achieved in both Netherlands and Ontario, Canada. Sun flowers have a type of phototropic response called heliotropism (sun turning); the leaves and flower heads of young sunflowers follow the sun and their orientation therefore changes from east to west during the day. This footage is part of the p