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Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A.Gray.
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Compositae) |
| Synonyms: | Mirasolia diversifolia |
| Common Name: | Shrub Sunflower, Mexican Sunflower, Bolivian Sunflower, Tree Marigold |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Leggy |
| Maximum Height | 5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 4 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico, Central America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial woody shrub, tall and rangy, up to 5m tall by 4m wide. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves fuzzy, coarse-looking, palmately-lobed to various degrees on same plant older larger leaves more deeply-lobed. |
| Flowers | Daisy-like inflorescences, with central disc florets and bright yellow ray-florets, produced near top of the plant, scented like honey, attractive to bees and butterflies. Free-blooming. |
| Fruit | One-seeded achenes, small (5mm) and lightweight, dispersed by wind. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Potential Hazard: Species known to form impenetrable thickets and overtake indigenous plants. |
| Habitat | Grasslands, savannas, along riverbanks, roadsides and open disturbed sites.. |
| Cultivation | Fast-growing. Requires regular watering in dry weather. Lower leaves tend to drop off as plant grows taller, so plant may look leggy. Stems prone to breakage, but take root where they land. Hard-prune to around 30cm above ground after flowering to control height and spread. Dead-heading of spent inflorescences to prolong flowering season. Prone to being attacked by mealybugs and snails. Propagate by seeds or stem cuttings. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Tithonia' named after Tithonus, a mythological Trojan and much-loved companion of the dawn goddess Auora (Eos), who later grew tired of him and turned him into a grasshopper. Species epithet 'diversifolia' means 'differently-shaped leaves', a reference to the plant's variable foliage. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Agriculture: Compost tea or mulch made from fresh or burnt leaves are known to provde short-term protection against termites. Leaves and stems high in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, added as organic matter to poor soils or used as feed for livestock. Medicinal: Used in Mexico to treat sprains, fractures and bruises. Used in China to treat skin diseases and as diuretic. Extracts sold as herbal remedy to treat hepatitis and improve liver function. Currently being investigated for anti-malarial properties. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) (Day) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Flowerbed / Border, Hedge / Screening |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden, Naturalistic Garden, Wildflower Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee), Insects (Butterfly, Moth)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Diseases | Mealybugs, snails |
| Pest(s) | Associated with |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Maintenance Requirements Remarks | Fairly aggressive shrub. Hard-prune regularly to control size and prevent plants overtaking other nearby plants. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Hairy / Hirsute, Rough, Scaly |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Palmate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody, Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flower Size - Remarks | 5 - 15cm across |
| Inflorescence Type | Head / Capitulum |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Achene |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 18618 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3347 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
