HELIANTHUS, the GREAT SUNFLOWER: A genus of the polygamia frutanea order, belonging to the Syngenesia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 49th order, Composite. The receptacle is paleaceous and plane; the pappus diphyllous; the calyx imbricated; the scales standing a little out at the tops. There are 12 species, most of which are now very common in our gardens, though 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.