sunflower

What it means

1. Any plant of the genus Helianthus, so called probably from the form and color of its floral head, having the form of a large disk surrounded by yellow ray flowers.

   The flowers glowed red and golden: snapdragons and sunflowers, and nasturtians trailing all over the turf walls and peeping in at the round windows.

   1954 July 29, J.R.R. Tolkien, “I: A Long-Expected Party”, in The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings; 1), →ISBN

   1 more example

   The low-beamed Bell Inn, believed to date from 1520, is locally renowned for its garden where giant sunflowers grow. In 1978, one reached the spectacular height of 23 ft 6 in.

   1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 214, about Halton Holegate

   1. The commonly cultivated species, Helianthus annuus, a native of America.
2. A bright yellow, like that of the flower petals.

In a sentence

The flowers glowed red and golden: snapdragons and sunflowers, and nasturtians trailing all over the turf walls and peeping in at the round windows.

1954 July 29, J.R.R. Tolkien, “I: A Long-Expected Party”, in The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings; 1), →ISBN

Where it comes from

From sun + flower. Compare English sunbloom.