Native to the American southwest, the California Bush Sunflower is drought-tolerant, needing very little water, and grows best in full sun. Living in a region well known for dry, arid conditions, the plant has become an expert at managing water where rainfall is scarce. The flower’s waxy, hairy leaves reduce evaporation and retain moisture, minimizing water consumption by trapping a layer of air. These microhairs trap pockets of air on top of the leaf, which creates a barrier between dry conditions outside and moisture from the leaves trying to seep through. Moreover, its deep taproot system allows the plant to access water far below the surface in its dry habitat as well as allowing the plant to anchor itself with deep roots despite being in possibly unstable earth, like sand. The sunflower’s “lotus effect,” coined by Dr. Wilhelm Barthlott to describe similar hydrophobic properties on lotus leaves, has been studied and implemented in various designs, such as waterproof clothing, dirt and water resistant glass, and antibacterial medical instruments.

Ryan Fu