Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
Mexican sunflower, goldylocks
Family Name:
Asteraceae
Botanical Name:
Tithonia diversifolia
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The Mexican sunflower is a perennial herbaceous, bushy plant that can grow 10 feet tall. The stems of this species are hollow, striated and pubescent. On the stalks are alternating leaves that can grow up to 13 inches long, and nine inches wide. The leaves have cuneated (tapered) bases and three to seven pointed lobes with toothed margins. The flower heads can grow up to six inches wide, they look like a traditional sunflower but have yellow centers. The flowers produce 15 brilliant petals that form florets and the center has many small flowers (5).
Compound:
Tit div
Geographic Origin:
Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
TheTithonia diversifolia is endemic to Mexico. The flower first was domesticated in the eastern United States. Then it was introduced to Mexico as an ornamental plant (2). The Mexican sunflower has been distributed to Africa, where the plant is commonly found in the southern and western regions of Africa (2).
Cultivation Notes:
Since the flower is considered a weed, it can grow in a variety of different environmental conditions. The sunflower has a high drought tolerance but the ideal places for this flower are to grow where there is an annual rainfall of 40 inches (3).
Ethnobotany:
The T. diversifolia has many medicinal uses in Taiwan. The flower has been known to be used in medical practices, such as fighting poison by inducing a fever. They are still sold in Taiwan as a medical plant to this day. More modern day use of this flower is to treat hepatitis, jaundice, night sweats, reduce water retention, lower blood pressure, fight athlete's foot, and combat cystitis (4). Another us for this weed is as a source of nutrients so farmers use the plant as fertilizer (3).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Patio
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Allergenic
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
