Planted a tiny helianthus angustifolius "first light" last fall in a 2x2 pot, it did have a couple flowers on it when I bought it.

now, less than a year later, the plant has really gotten big already (although won't flower til this fall I think).

yesterday looking more closely at it, I see a baby plant with the exact same looking leaves coming up about a foot away.

question is I want your thoughts about what this could be... Does this plant spread by rhizomes or would this be a seedling? If rhizomatic, does the shoot have its own roots already? Can I "shovel cut" it by spearing down into the soil between the bigger plant and the baby, then transplant the small one?

my original intent was to split it into a few more plants to create a patch of this in the garden, so it's exciting to see it.

that being said, since "first light" is a selection... If this is a baby seedling, then my future patch won't look uniform. Will this look bad or is that also okay? Just want your opinions thanks!!!