Type Of Helianthus

Ask the Expert: Yellow Wildflower – grows in Kentucky
This flower (I’m sorry the pick is somewhat past bloom) grows all along the farm – my friend believes it to be wild cosmos… and I didn’t think there was a cosmos genus around here – could you help us out?

Thank you! Anne

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe it is a type of Helianthus.  Kentucky has many wild species of Helianthus.  My best guess would be one of the following: Helianthus hirsutus (Hairy Sunflower), Helianthus strumosus (Pale-leaved Woodland Sunflower) or Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke).  Of course it is a little hard to tell without an open bloom.