Sunflowers actually belong to the Asteraceae which is the same family as the little daisies growing in your lawn.  We use them for cooking oil, livestock feed and sometimes dyes.  It is not grown that commonly commercially here in Ireland as we tend to prefer Rapeseed due to its more favourable output. That said there are a few farms around the country that grow it as an attraction where you can pay in to wander around and be in awe of their fabulousness!! (definitely on my summer ...