Heliopsis buphthalmoides

Native from Mexico through Central America to Venezuela and Bolivia, with populations in French Guiana and Brazil, this annual herb or small subshrub grows in fields, along roadsides and rivers, and on mountain slopes. Yellow flowerheads contain both central disc flowers and outer ray flowers that can produce seeds. The ray corollas remain attached to the developing fruits. In Colombia, it occurs from sea level to about 7,200 feet. It has traditional food and medicinal uses in Colombia. Photographed in Colombia.