Wild cosmos
Cosmos caudatus

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An erect annual herb. It grows 0.5-2 m high. The stem has sparse hairs. The leaves are divided 2 or 3 times. They are 5-15 cm long with a leaf stalk 7 cm long. The upper segments of the leaf are oblong and 1.5-3.5 cm long by 3-6 mm wide. There is one flower head. It is 1-1.5 cm long and 5 mm wide. The dry fruit is 2-2.6 cm long.

There are about 25 Cosmos species. It possibly has anti-cancer properties.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Indonesia it grows from coastal areas up to high mountains. It needs a fertile, well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 7-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

America, Asia, Australia, Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico (country/location of origin), Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pan tropical, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, SE Asia, Singapore, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Thailand, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, West Indies, West Timor

How it is used for food

The shoots are eaten raw with vermicelli. The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable. They are also cooked and added to stews. The leaves are mixed with rice to prepare yeast.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. For edible leaves it is normally planted densely and harvested by thinning out.

Its other names

Local names

Cosmos, Daao rueang phamaa, Daoruang-phama, Dewa daroo, Kenikir, Kenikir, Khamhae, Kiun'ut, Margarita, Onwad, Pelampong, Randa midang, Turay-turay, Ulam rajah

Synonyms

Bidens artemisifolia subsp. caudata (Kunth) Kuntze; Bidens berteriana Spreng.; Bidens carnea Heer; Bidens caudata (Kunth) Sch.Bip.; Cosmos caudata (Kunth) Spreng.; Cosmos bipinnatus Ridley;