HELIANTHUS, the GREAT SUNFLOWER; a genus of the polygamia frullanea order, belonging to the syngenesia class of plants. There are 12 species, most of which are now very common in our gardens, tho' all of them are natives of America. They are all very hardy, and will prosper in almost any soil or situation. They may be propagated either by seeds, or by parting their roots.