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→Domestication in North America
The plant was cultivated as isolated individuals in or near cornfields. Cultivars with tall stems and large flower heads were selected.
According to Lentz '' et al. '' (2008a), the sunflower was also domesticated independently in Mexico. This is disputed by Brown (2008) and Heiser (2008b), to whom Lentz '' et al. '' (2008b) respond. Brown points out that the Mexican names for the sunflower are all motivated, indicating a relatively recent origin. Heiser adds that there is no convincing mention if of the plant in Hernández and Sahagún.
*See [http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/buffalo/garden/garden.html#III Sunflowers] in ''Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden Recounted by Maxi'diwiac (Buffalo Bird Woman) of the Hidatsa Indian Tribe'' (ca.1839-1932), edited by Gilbert Livingstone Wilson (1868-1930). Originally published as "''Agriculture of the Hidatsa Indians: An Indian Interpretation''" by Gilbert Livingstone Wilson, Ph.D. (1868-1930) Minneapolis, The University of Minnesota (Studies in the Social Sciences, #9), 1917. Ph. D. Thesis. Fascinating first hand relation.
