Wild sunflower, Giant Mexican sunflower
Tithonia diversifolia

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 1-3 m tall. The stems are stout and rough. The leaves are alternate and oval. They have teeth around the edge. The lowest leaves can be heart shaped. The leaves are 10-25 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are hairy. The flower is large and occurs singly. It can be 20 cm across. It is yellow. The fruit is 4 angled and 1 cm long by 4 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 550-1,950 m above sea level. In the Philippines it occurs along roadsides at higher elevations. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Congo DR, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico (country/location of origin), Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Niue, North America, Pacific, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten roasted. They can be processed into cooking oil. The disk of the flower head can be eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds, flowers

How it is grown

It can be grown by seeds or from rhizomes. It can be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Japanese sunflower, Kade putali phul, Kembang bulan, Marigold shrub, Malulu, Malulua, Matalaa, Negya-ni, Tree marigold

Synonyms

Helianthus quinquelobus Sesse & Moc.; Mirasolia diversifolia Hemsl.; Tithonia diversifolia subsp. diversifolia; Urbanisol tagetiflora var. glabriuscula S. F. Blake; and others