MOUNT VERNON — The sunflower is an interesting plant with an equally interesting history. According to the National Sunflower Association, the sunflower is native to North America, and was cultivated by native Americans who developed it into the single-flower plant known today.

The plant was used for many different things. The seed was ground into a kind of flour and used for bread and other baked goods. The seeds were eaten as a snack, and added to vegetable meals.

None of this perhaps is as impressive as a gigantic sunflower grown by Jenna Riley, 4, at the home of her grandparents, Gil and Judy Riley. The Rileys live on Adamson Street in Mount Vernon. Jenna is the daughter of Patrick and Darcy Riley.

Jenna planted several sunflowers in the flower garden along the edge of her grandparents’ house. Most of them were of normal size, but one grew to about 12 feet. Jenna has no explanation for the gigantic plant. In fact, she is quite modest about the whole thing.

Did you plant the flowers yourself?

“Uh huh.”

Where did you get the seeds?

“Glass Garden.”

Did you think it would get this big?

“Nuh huh.”

Do you talk to it?

“Nooo! Nobody talks to flowers.”

Jenna did admit to coming over to her grandparents’ house almost every day to water her sunflowers.

“I help her by bringing her the water,” Judy explained. “But she waters them herself.”

The plant has a stalk about 3 inches in diameter near the base. This has given Gil an idea.

“I think I’m going to go into the lumber business,” he said referring to the size of the plant. “I could get a few boards out of that.”

Darcy and Patrick are proud of what Jenna has done.

“She did great,” said Patrick. “I’ve never seen a sunflower that big. I’ve planted more than a few, but I never got anything like this one.”