Annual Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are at their peak here. They can be dramatic when getting their “hairdos” tussled by sea breezes:
However, they also are impressive when just imitating their namesake, the radiating sun:
There reportedly are about 70 species of sunflowers that are native to North and Central America, some of which have been cultivated for their food (seeds and oil), clothing dye, medicinal properties, or just exotic looks.
Sunflower plants were cultivated in this continent at least as early as 3000 BC, according to researchers. They reportedly were introduced to the rest of the world around 1500 by Spanish Conquistadors returning from the Americas to Europe. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on September 17.)