MY NEW SMOKEY KITTEN CAT, BEHIND THE SUNFLOWER, FOR THE EBSQ STATE FLOWERS SHOW. The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual plant in the family Asteraceae and native to the Americas, with a large flowering head (inflorescence). The stem can grow as high as 3 meters (10 ft), and the flower head can reach 30 cm (11.8 in) in diameter with the "large" seeds. The term "sunflower" is also used to refer to all plants of the genus Helianthus, many of which are perennial plants. The sunflower it's the Kansas State Flower. PAINTED ON ARTAGAIN BLACK PAPER, WITH ACRYLICS, COLORED PENCILS & PASTELS.