Sunflower

The sunflower is an annual herbaceous plant. Standing one to two metres tall, its powerful stem holds a giant capitulum measuring 15 to 30 cm which turns in the sun. This capitulum contains 1000 to 2000 flowers. Throughout the day, heliotropism ensures optimum sun exposure for the growth of the leaves and stem. Grown by Native Americans, the sunflower was introduced to Europe by the Conquistadors. In a short time, it spread across Europe and even as far as India for the production of sunflower oil. Russia is now the world’s leading producer. Organic sunflower unsaponifiable is an oily key ingredient. The molecules forming the unsaponifiable fraction (tocopherols, phytosterols, etc.) are naturally present in small quantities in sunflower oil, and considered fine molecules owing to their properties.