Several species of sunflowers are of economic importance. Below is a list of species that have a widespread use in society. Many more species of Asteraceae of narrow distribution, especially in tropical regions, are used locally for various medicinal and food purposes. The economic importance of many species of sunflowers is yet to be fully explored. For more information concerning the domestication of sunflowers the reader is advised to consult Dempewolf et al. (2008).
Oils
- Niger seed oil, Guizotia abyssinica (L. f.) Cass., Asteroideae: Millerieae, northeast tropical Africa
- Safflower oil, Carthamus tinctorius L., Carduoideae: Cynareae, central Asia
- Sunflower oil, Helianthus annuus L., Asteroideae: Heliantheae, North America
Food
- Artichoke, Cynara cardunculus L., Carduoideae: Cynareae, Eurasia
- Endive, Cichorium endivia L., Cichorioideae: Cichorieae, Europe
- Jerusalem artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus L., Asteroideae: Heliantheae, North America
- Lettuce, Lactuca sativa L., Cichorioidea: Cichorieae, cultivar of Asian species
- Mexican tarragon, Tagetes lucida Cav., Asteroideae: Tageteae, Mexico
- Radicchio, Cichorium intybus L., Cichorioideae: Cichorieae, Europe
- Salsifi, Tragopogon porrifolius L., Cichorioideae:Cichorieae, Europe
- Sunflower seeds, Helianthus annuus L., Asteroideae: Heliantheae, North America
- Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus L., Asteroideae: Anthemideae, Eurasia
Ornamentals
- Black-Eyed Susans, Rudbeckia hirta L., Asteroideae: Heliantheae, USA, Canada
- Chrysanthemums, Chrysanthemum several species, Asteroideae: Anthemideae, Asia
- Dahlias, Dahlia coccinea Cav., Dahlia pinnata Cav., Asteroideae: Coreopsideae, Mexico
- Echinaceas, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Echinacea paradoxa, (Norton) Britton Asteroideae: Heliantheae, North America
- Marigolds, Tagetes erecta L., Asteroideae:Tageteae, Mexico, Central America
- Santolinas, Santolina, several species Asteroideae: Anthemideae, Europe
- Zinnias, Zinnia angustifolia Kunth, Zinnia peruviana (L.) L., Zinnia violacea Cav., Asteroideae: Heliantheae, Mexico, South America
Medicinal
- Anti-malarial, Artemisia annua L., Asteroideae: Anthemideae, eastern Asia
- Chamomile tea, Matricaria recutita L., Asteroideae: Anthemideae, Europe
- Echinacea tea, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Asteroideae: Heliantheae, North America
Industrial
- Absinthe, alcoholic beverage flavoring, Artemisia absinthium L., Asteroideae: Anthemideae, Europe
- Insecticides (pyrethrins and cinerins), Tanacetum spp. Asteroideae: Anthemideae, Eurasia
- Orange dye, Tagetes erecta L., Tagetes patula L., Asteroideae: Tageteae, Mexico
- Orange dye, Carthamus tinctorius L., Cichorioideae: Cichorieae, central Asia
- Rubber, Guayule, Parthenium argentatum A. Gray, Asteroideae: Heliantheae, North America
- Sweetener, Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni, Asteroideae: Eupatorieae, South America
