A friend sent me this photo last year of a sunflower head with purple seeds. She said the others grown had normal black and white seeds, and the pollen parts had fallen off indicating the seeds were mature, as they were planted this year and grew, though no offspring had the purple seeds.

I've never seen anything like that. Interesting.

I know it's bizzarre and I can't find an answer anywhere online about it.

Hope this answers your question?
https://rachieadventures.wordp...

She mentions later on in response what variety they were... Burpee "Summer Evening".

HeidiOregon said:Hope this answers your question?
https://rachieadventures.wordp...

She mentions later on in response what variety they were... Burpee "Summer Evening".

I never came across that, but that does answer my question!

Never heard of such a thing until I pulled these off 2 twelve footers .

Adrianweightman said: Never heard of such a thing until I pulled these off 2 twelve footers .

Are they just underdeveloped seeds?

Not at all . these are fully ripened . and beautiful . they actually stained my fingers purple .

It will be interesting to see if this trait continues with the next generation, or whether it's just a once-off. Please let us know!

Australis said:It will be interesting to see if this trait continues with the next generation, or whether it's just a once-off. Please let us know!

I'm growing some now, I'll also let you know when they go to seed

Went out to look at my seeds to see if there ready for harvest and there all a dark purple i have all signs that there matured but there purple .. cant find any answers anywhere as to why they turn purple i understand they grow into cool looking sunflowers but still would like to know why they go purple and they stain your hands dark purple are they still ok to eat lol

This is my first time planting sunflowers and I have the same thing happening. Did anyone figure out why??

Tiffanybaker said:This is my first time planting sunflowers and I have the same thing happening. Did anyone figure out why??

Must be that particular cultivar produces extra purple coloring for seeds

My first time as well and all of mine are the same huge and all seeds are purple I put some in bags for next year and also put a lot in a brine turned the water dark purple as well was just wondering if there okay to eat or what they are there suppose to be mammoth black and white striped so I don't know can't find anything about them online if Anyone can help me out I would greatly appreciate it .

Jessewayne said:My first time as well and all of mine are the same huge and all seeds are purple I put some in bags for next year and also put a lot in a brine turned the water dark purple as well was just wondering if there okay to eat or what they are there suppose to be mammoth black and white striped so I don't know can't find anything about them online if Anyone can help me out I would greatly appreciate it .

Nobody knows, I think it's a mutation. I'm growing them now and everything about the sunflower is ordinary except the purple seeds.