Thanks floral. Leaves of H. rigidus look too narrow.

None of the plants had more than 1 bloom - probably down to low light conditions.

When I check online, I can only find H. annuus and H. tuberosus listed as being present in Italy. ** See below

It surely isn't H. annuus and H. tuberosus just doesn't feel right.

Hmmm.

Fof

Correction & update:

I should have said that H.a & H.t were the only species listed in Abruzzo.

Another contender is Helianthus x laetiflorus. This though, like H rigidus/pauciflorus, is not listed in Abruzzo.

If they are there next year, I'll lift one and check the roots

Kind of looks like Helianthus angustifolius to me.

H rigidus is present as an introduction in Italy afaik. As is H angustifolius. But the site doesn't appear damp.

Thanks, Jay

We may never know. Growing in such poor light conditions means that just about any of the sunflowers could fit the bill.

Yeah, because they can adapt to strange conditions and have bizarre appearances and sizes as a result, like 8" tall blooming Helianthus anuus plants. This is a major problem with IDing the goldenrods also. I thought of the angustifolius, because the leaves sort of match and I saw some pictures that looked close. Usually I see a lot of red stems in that species, but not so much in your plant, but a little.

floral

Hang my head. It might have helped if I had mentioned that it was growning 15'-20' from the River Mavone. I would guess at about the same level as the river's median height. Heavy rains or snow thaw in the mountains and this area is under water. Believe me, it is damper than it looks on the surface.

As I corrected, I should have said that H. annuus and H. tuberosus are the only species listed for Abruzzo. Lots of other species and hybrids elsewhere in Italy.

H. tuberosus in my experience, is reliably over 2m tall before it flowers, has wider leaves, and quickly forms large clumps...not what you have IMHO.