The Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a food source for humans and animals, grown for it's oil and seeds. It has been cultivated by Native Americans since about 3000 BC and it may have been domesticated before corn. It is one of the few crop species that originated in North America. Native Americans used the plant's medicinal properties to treat snakebites and other ailments. The Sunflower is the State Flower of Kansas and the City Flower of Kitakyushu, Japan. Young plants in the bud stage exhibit heliotropism, following the movement of the sun. Mature plants only face east. The tallest Sunflower plant on record was 25 feet, 5.4 inches and was grown in the Netherlands. The Common Sunflower is a food plant favored by Monarch butterflies during their migration.