Red sunflowers exist!

Characterised by vibrant red petals and a dark brown centre, the red sunflower grows up to 6 ft. tall with 5"-6" blooms. The red sunflower can grow fast in a single season but wilts during autumn.

The red sunflowers are one of the easiest plants to grow coming from fresh flower seeds. The red sunflowers only need little attention and they are not particular to soil conditions.

Sunflowers are edible

Apart from being an excellent source of vitamin D, as well as vitamin A, E, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, copper, and iron, sunflowers are completely safe to eat from its roots to the petals. Although they do not offer the best flowery flavours out there, its bitter taste adds a twist to the flavour and boosts the colour in raw dishes like salads.

Some people are afraid of sunflowers

Although sunflowers are a symbol of positivity, some people are scared or have irrational fear against it. Being afraid of the sunflower is called Helianthophobia. It can sound weird to some people who admire the beauty of sunflowers, but the key reasons are its look, smell, or even just its thought.

Sunflowers demonstrate a behaviour called ‘heliotropism’

One of the sunflower’s most unique traits is a phenomenon called “heliotropism”. Sunflowers are responsive to the direction of the sun. Sunflower buds face east in the morning and follow the sun as the earth moves throughout the day.

200 Roman coins unearthed ‘by foraging badger’

A treasure trove of over 200 Roman coins is thought to be the largest of its kind ever unearthed in northern Spain. It was found inside the cave of La Cuesta, in the autonomous community of Asturias, in April 2021, but has just been revealed in a report by Spanish researchers.

The coins were found next to a burrow, with some even inside it. Researchers think that it was discovered by a badger while looking for food. Local resident Roberto Garcia then stumbled on the haul, along with two archaeologists who were visiting the cave.

The coins date from between the 3rd to 5th centuries AD, with some even originating in distant mints in London and Antioch. Someone probably hid the coins there before the arrival of the Suebi, Germanic peoples who invaded the region in 409AD.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, January 5th, 2022