Black sunflower belongs to the aster family. It grows one to two metres tall and develops a strong and broadly spreading root system. The sunflower stem is straight and does not branch. Large, cordate leaves that sit on strong petioles grown on the stems. A characteristic inflorescence, called a pseudanthium, sits atop the unbranched stem. The centre, surrounded by yellow petals, consists of hundreds of seeds. The entire plant is covered with coarse hairs that prevent it from loss of water.

It is usually grown as after crop for green fertilizer and fodder, particularly for birds. Sunflower constitutes a neutral plant in the crop rotation. It stimulates development of useful soil microflora and improves soil structure. Green parts, before the flowers develop, are used as green fodder for cattle. Plants won at the later stage are mostly used for silage. Sunflower seeds have high energetic value. They are also rich in fatty acids and vitamins. They are a popular fodder for doves and other bred birds.  Sunflower seeds constitute one of the main ingredients of winter seed mixtures for the wild birds that winter in the country. Sunflower also belongs to melliferous plants that is eagerly visited by pollinating insects.

Black sunflower has rather average requirements. We recommend choosing a sunny, sheltered site. Strong wind might break frail stems. Sunflowers prefer deeply cultivated, fertilized soil that is rich in nutrients and moderately moist. Those requirements are by no means a must. Sunflowers can adapt to quite broad range of conditions. Sow mid-April to harvest in July. You can grow sunflower from pure sow or together with legumes.

Each package contains 1 kg of black sunflower seeds.

• Height: 100 to 200 cm
• Use: green fertilizer; fodder; melliferous
• Growth form: erect
• Flower colour: yellow and black
• Vegetation form: annual
• Site: sunny, sheltered; deeply cultivated, fertilized soil
• Weight : 1000 g