Helianthus or sunflowers, is a genus of plants comprising about 52 species[3] in the family Asteraceae, all of which are native to North America. The common name "sunflower" also applies to the popular annual species Helianthus annuus.[4] This and other species, notably Jerusalem artichoke (H. tuberosus), are cultivated in temperate regions as food crops and ornamental plants.