{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.common-sunflower","code":"thing-q171497","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q171497/","name":"common sunflower","alternateNames":[],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.LIV"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"Helianthus annuus L. is an annual diploid (2n = 34) composite native to central and western North America, with lower leaves that may be opposite and upper leaves alternate, typically radiate capitula bearing sterile yellow rays around a brown to purple disc, paleate receptacles, and single-seeded oil-rich achenes; the species includes wild populations and cultivated oilseed, confectionery and ornamental sunflowers derived from them, with cultivated forms including other ray colours and double flower heads, and remains a widespread ruderal and rotational weed.","purpose":"Enable an AI agent to recognise a common sunflower, assess its development and condition, and choose appropriate observation, care, propagation or harvest actions.","scope":{"in":["Identification as Helianthus annuus and evidence distinguishing it from similar plants","Individual growth form, cultivar or accession identity when known, and developmental stage","Root-zone conditions, light exposure and responses relevant to care","Flower-head development, pollination opportunity and seed maturation","Plant damage, structural stability and suitability for an intended action"],"out":["Field-scale crop rotation, yield forecasting and farm operations","Pollinator species identification and population management","Soil ecosystems and weather systems beyond their observed effects on this plant","Detached seed lots, processed sunflower oil and food-product quality assurance","Independent models of pathogens, pests and pesticide products"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Check for a composite flower head containing numerous central disc florets and, in typical forms, peripheral ray florets; yellow rays alone do not establish sunflower identity.","Inspect leaf arrangement along the stem: lower leaves may be opposite and upper leaves alternate; record broad, rough, toothed leaves as supporting evidence rather than a conclusive test.","Distinguish common sunflower from Jerusalem artichoke and other perennial sunflowers using underground organs and evidence of annual versus persistent growth; absence of visible tubers is inconclusive without inspection.","Use involucral bracts, leaf attachment and stem or leaf hair characters in an appropriate botanical key to distinguish Helianthus annuus from other Helianthus species.","Allow branched, small-headed, coloured-ray and double-flowered cultivated forms; a single giant yellow head is neither required nor sufficient for identification."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"identity-and-grown-form","name":"Identity and grown form","description":"Evidence that the plant is common sunflower and context for its particular form.","layers":[{"id":"species-recognition","name":"Species recognition","description":"Observable characters and identification limits.","findings":[{"id":"diagnostic-character-set","name":"Diagnostic character set","description":"Record the combination of leaf, stem, head and bract characters supporting identification.","questions":[{"text":"Which observed characters support Helianthus annuus, and which were checked against a botanical key?","id":"diagnostic-character-set-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Which similar Helianthus species or other composite-flowered plants remain plausible?","id":"diagnostic-character-set-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"cultivated-or-volunteer-origin","name":"Cultivated or volunteer origin","description":"Origin and named form that inform expectations without substituting for identification.","findings":[{"id":"origin-and-form-evidence","name":"Origin and form evidence","description":"Connect planting history and cultivar claims to observed branching and floral form.","questions":[{"text":"Was this plant deliberately sown, transplanted or found as a volunteer, and what record supports that history?","id":"origin-and-form-evidence-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"What evidence supports its cultivar identity or a claim that it is pollenless?","id":"origin-and-form-evidence-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"growth-and-structural-support","name":"Growth and structural support","description":"Development of the sunflower's stem, branches and head-bearing structure.","layers":[{"id":"developmental-progression","name":"Developmental progression","description":"Dated evidence of progression from seedling to senescence.","findings":[{"id":"stage-and-growth-trajectory","name":"Stage and growth trajectory","description":"Record developmental stage alongside height, branching and head emergence.","questions":[{"text":"Which structures establish the current stage: true leaves, buds, open florets or developing fruits?","id":"stage-and-growth-trajectory-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"How have height, branch count and head development changed since the previous observation?","id":"stage-and-growth-trajectory-q02","kind":"measurement"}]}]},{"id":"head-bearing-stability","name":"Head-bearing stability","description":"Stem integrity and anchorage under the plant's current head load and exposure.","findings":[{"id":"leaning-and-breakage-risk","name":"Leaning and breakage risk","description":"Distinguish head droop from stem bending, breakage or loss of root anchorage.","questions":[{"text":"Is the head drooping at its stalk, the main stem bending, or the root plate moving?","id":"leaning-and-breakage-risk-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Would staking, a loose support tie or shelter reduce observed instability without damaging the stem?","id":"leaning-and-breakage-risk-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"root-zone-and-exposure","name":"Root zone and exposure","description":"Conditions governing water access, rooting space and sunlight for this plant.","layers":[{"id":"water-and-rooting-context","name":"Water and rooting context","description":"Root-zone moisture, drainage and restrictions relevant to watering.","findings":[{"id":"watering-decision-evidence","name":"Watering decision evidence","description":"Connect leaf posture with moisture observations and container or ground conditions.","questions":[{"text":"What is the moisture condition at root depth, and is the sunflower in a container or unrestricted ground?","id":"watering-decision-evidence-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Does evidence support watering, improving drainage or further diagnosis before intervention?","id":"watering-decision-evidence-q02","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"light-and-weather-exposure","name":"Light and weather exposure","description":"Sunlight, shading and recent weather affecting interpretation of growth and posture.","findings":[{"id":"exposure-linked-response","name":"Exposure-linked response","description":"Record exposure and plant responses without treating head direction as a reliable identity or health test.","questions":[{"text":"How much direct sun reaches the foliage, and what neighbouring structures or plants shade it?","id":"exposure-linked-response-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Did wilting, leaning or tissue damage begin after heat, wind, cold or a change in placement?","id":"exposure-linked-response-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"flowering-and-seed-production","name":"Flowering and seed production","description":"Individual head development, pollination context and reproductive outcome.","layers":[{"id":"floret-development-and-pollination","name":"Floret development and pollination","description":"Flowering progress within each head and evidence of pollen availability or transfer.","findings":[{"id":"head-flowering-status","name":"Head flowering status","description":"Distinguish visible rays from disc-floret flowering and record pollination opportunities.","questions":[{"text":"Which areas of the disc contain unopened, flowering or spent florets?","id":"head-flowering-status-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What evidence exists of pollen availability, flower visitors or deliberate pollination?","id":"head-flowering-status-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"fruit-filling-and-maturity","name":"Fruit filling and maturity","description":"Evidence that fruits contain developed seeds and are ready for the intended harvest.","findings":[{"id":"seed-harvest-readiness","name":"Seed harvest readiness","description":"Assess head condition and sampled fruit development without assuming every visible hull is filled.","questions":[{"text":"What do head-back colour, bract condition and a permitted sample of fruits indicate about maturity and filling?","id":"seed-harvest-readiness-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Should this head remain for further filling, be protected from feeding animals or be harvested for the stated purpose?","id":"seed-harvest-readiness-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"condition-and-use-decisions","name":"Condition and use decisions","description":"Symptoms, damage and intended use that govern intervention on the sunflower.","layers":[{"id":"damage-and-decline","name":"Damage and decline","description":"Location, extent and progression of abnormal tissue changes.","findings":[{"id":"symptom-pattern-and-uncertainty","name":"Symptom pattern and uncertainty","description":"Separate observed chewing, spotting, yellowing or rot from unconfirmed causal diagnoses.","questions":[{"text":"Which leaves, stem regions or heads are affected, how extensively, and how quickly is the pattern changing?","id":"symptom-pattern-and-uncertainty-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What evidence distinguishes expected post-flowering senescence from injury, resource stress or suspected infection?","id":"symptom-pattern-and-uncertainty-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"retention-cutting-and-removal","name":"Retention, cutting and removal","description":"Actions on heads or the whole plant in relation to the owner's intended outcome.","findings":[{"id":"purpose-dependent-intervention","name":"Purpose-dependent intervention","description":"Record the intended benefit and reproductive or structural consequences before removing tissue.","questions":[{"text":"Is this sunflower intended for cut flowers, standing display, seed saving, food production or wildlife feeding?","id":"purpose-dependent-intervention-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"How would cutting this head or stem affect remaining buds, seed production and the stated purpose?","id":"purpose-dependent-intervention-q02","kind":"action"},{"text":"What treatment history or unresolved identification limits affect whether harvested material can proceed to a food or feed assessment?","id":"purpose-dependent-intervention-q03","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-kinds","name":"Kinds and varieties","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of common sunflower this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-kinds-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-identifiers","name":"Identifiers and schemes","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of common sunflower this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-identifiers-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation","name":"Standards and regulation","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of common sunflower this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of common sunflower this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-measurements","name":"Typical measurements","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of common sunflower this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-measurements-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of common sunflower this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-regional-variation","name":"Regional variation","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of common sunflower this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-regional-variation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of common sunflower this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Identify sunflowers and report growth, flowering and pest condition to the grower.","Advise on harvest timing and seed storage."],"mustNot":["Spray crops beyond label instructions or near bees in flower.","Misrepresent seed varieties or genetic traits in sales.","Introduce sunflowers where they are listed as invasive.","Feed mouldy seed to people or animals."],"requiresHuman":["Spraying or harvest decisions for a commercial crop."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Sunflower fields feed pollinators, and spraying can kill bees.","Seed and oil prices matter to farmers' livelihoods."],"affectedParties":["Farmers","Bees and pollinators","Consumers of seeds and oil"]},"owners":{"steward":"The grower; variety rights are held by breeders and listed in plant variety registers.","roles":[],"masterSystems":["National plant variety registers"]},"relations":[{"target":"Q11992872","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"},{"target":"Q188840","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"},{"target":"Q192691","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"},{"target":"Q25400","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"},{"target":"Q756","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.common-sunflower","Wikidata: Q171497 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q171497)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["Identification confidence: unresolved | provisional Helianthus annuus | supported Helianthus annuus; evidence recorded","Cultivar or accession association: named cultivar, accession or supplier record | unknown","Developmental stage: seedling | vegetative | visible bud | flowering | seed filling | senescing | dead","Plant height: cm from growing-medium surface to highest living point, with observation date","Branching habit: unbranched | branched | uncertain; lateral branch and head counts","Head diameter: cm across the disc, excluding rays; head identity and stage recorded","Root-zone moisture: volumetric water content (%) when instrumented, or explicitly labelled qualitative observation; depth and time recorded","Direct sunlight exposure: estimated or measured hours per day, with season and method","Stem and anchorage condition: upright | leaning | bent | broken | uprooted; damage location recorded","Reproductive outcome: not assessed | flowering | developing fruits | apparently filled fruits | mature fruits | failed or aborted"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["Tall stems with large flower heads of yellow rays around a brown or purple centre.","Broad, rough, heart-shaped leaves.","Heads full of striped or black seeds after flowering."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Document diagnostic leaves, stems, bracts and heads to improve identification.","Adjust watering or placement using root-zone observations, exposure and developmental stage.","Support a leaning stem or protect a developing head when observed loads and damage justify intervention.","Track flowering and pollinator access, and manage pollination when seed parentage matters.","Choose whether to retain, deadhead or cut a head according to ornamental, wildlife or seed-saving goals.","Assess seed maturity and harvest readiness, or collect evidence before responding to suspected pests or disease."]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Mould on stored seed producing toxins.","Bird and pest losses before harvest.","Pollinator deaths from poor spraying."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, adopted by the International Botanical Congress, governs the scientific naming of this species.","The Seed Schemes of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development cover varietal certification of sunflower seed under the scheme for crucifers and other oil or fibre species."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["Common sunflowers are cultivated in agricultural fields for edible oil, edible seeds and other seed products.","They are grown in gardens and ornamental plantings for their flower heads and as resources for wildlife.","Wild and escaped plants occur in disturbed ground, roadsides and field margins, where they may be studied or managed as weeds."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Helianthus annuus Linnaeus, Flora of North America Volume 21","url":"","note":"Native range, morphological diagnosis versus other Helianthus, and the wild versus cultivated habit."},{"title":"PLANTS Database: Helianthus annuus L.","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=HEAN3","note":"Accepted scientific name, USDA symbol HEAN3, and North American distribution as crop, native, and weed."},{"title":"Sunflower Technology and Production, Agronomy Monograph 35","url":"","note":"Oilseed versus confection types, agronomy, typical oil content and yield, and major diseases and pests."},{"title":"Standard for Named Vegetable Oils (CXS 210-1999)","url":"","note":"Codex compositional identity of sunflowerseed oil, including linoleic and high-oleic ranges used in trade."},{"title":"Official United States Standards for Sunflower Seed","url":"","note":"US grain-inspection grades, oil-type versus confectionery-type seed, and moisture and dockage practice."},{"title":"Wikidata item Q171497: common sunflower","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q171497","note":"identity and sense of the item"},{"title":"Wikipedia: Common sunflower","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_sunflower","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Which authoritative regional identification key supplies the most reliable characters for separating Helianthus annuus from locally plausible lookalikes?","Which cultivar-specific expectations for stature, branching, pollen production and flowering duration can be supported by breeder or accession records?","What moisture and exposure decision thresholds are justified for the plant's climate, substrate, rooting volume and developmental stage?","What pollination and isolation practices are required for the intended seed-saving outcome, given the cultivar and nearby compatible plants?","Which maturity indicators and diagnostic escalation criteria are sufficiently validated for the intended harvest use and locally occurring sunflower disorders?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q171497/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q171497/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex","Grok"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-06T21:17:27Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T12:16:29+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 3 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}