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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Tithonia_diversifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Helianthus quinquelobus Sessé & Moc. Mirasolia diversifolia Hemsl. Tithonia triloba Sch.Bip. ex Klatt Urbanisol tagetiflora diversifolius (Hemsl.) Kuntze Urbanisol tagetiflora flavus Kuntze Urbanisol tagetiflora grandiflorus Kuntze Urbanisol tagetifolius grandiflorus Kuntze
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Various studies have been carried out into the medicinal properties of this plant:- A methanol extract of the dried leaves reduced pain levels and inhibited oedema and granuloma, confirming the plants traditional use in the treatment of painful inflammatory conditions[360 ]. The leaves contain sesquiterpene lactones, including tagitinin ,which possess insecticidal properties. A study showed it possessed antimicrobial activity, active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, suggesting that the leaves can be used in treating gastrointestinal infections, skin diseases and urinary tract infections[360 ]. An 80% ethanol extract of the leaves showed reduction of blood glucose levels 3 weeks after a single oral dose, also significantly lowering plasma insulin, decreasing blood glucose in an insulin tolerance test. The results suggest it may be useful in the treatment of type2 diabetes[360 ]. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of the plant had 50% and 74% clearing of malarial parasites respectively, compared to 100% for chloroquine. It was more effective when administered at the onset of the infection, suggesting a time-dependency of the anti-malarial effects[369 ]. A 70% methanol extract showed a dose- and time-dependent toxic effect on the kidney and liver toxicity. Although reversible, it raises concern over the safety of the use of the plant extract against malaria[360 ]. The leaves contain a bitter essential oil[331 ]. A decoction of the leaves is sometimes used in the treatment of malaria[331 ]. An infusion of leaves is used in the treatment of constipation, stomach pains, indigestion, sore throat and liver pains[418 ]. The leaves should be ground into small pieces, mixed with water, and then drunk[418 ] Leaf extracts are used externally for the treatment of wounds and haematomas[360 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Agroforestry Uses: The plant is used for soil improvement and has a positive effect on crop yields. Yields of maize, kale, French beans, tomatoes and Napier grass all increased when they were planted with this species[418 ]. For fertilization, it is used as a mulch which can be spread on top of the soil or buried beneath it. T. diversifolia has the ability to restore phosphorus in high amounts to the soil it contains 1.76% N, 0.82% P, and 3.92% K. All three properties are lower in cattle manure, and P is higher in poultry and swine manure. Planted as a living fence[418 ]. Other Uses: A bitter, essential oil is extracted from the leaves[331 ]. It has a repellent activity on the mosquito Anapholes gambiae, and a smaller, but still significant, action on other species of mosquito[360 ]. The stems are used as fuel[303 , 418 ].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A plant of the tropics and subtropics, it can also be grown as a summer annual in temperate areas. It the tropics it can be found at elevations from 200 - 2,300 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 31°c, but can tolerate 12 - 38°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 2,500mm[418 ]. Succeeds in any well-drained, moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200 ]. Plants are moderately drought-resistant[418 ]. Commonly grown as an ornamental, the plant has escaped from cultivation and become a weed in many areas of the tropics and subtropics[360 ]. The plant can flower and produce seed all year round[303 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - sow in situ.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Common Names: English: Bolivian sunflower; Mexican sunflower; Nitobe chrysanthemum; shrub sunflower; tree marigold. Spanish: guasmara; jalacate Local Common Names: Cuba: árnica de la tierra; girasolillo; margarita gigante; margarita isleña; margaritona. Germany: Verschiedenblaettrige Fackelblume. Indonesia: harsaga; kembang mbulan. Indonesia/Java: kembang mbulan. Japan: Japanese sunflower. Kenya: wild sunflower. South Africa: Mexikaanse sonneblom. Thailand: daoruang-yipun; denchamat-nam; thantawan-nu. Uganda: wild sunflower.
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, Asia, Central America*, China, Dominican Republic, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico*, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Taiwan, USA, West Indies
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Rapid vegetative reproduction and significant production of lightweight seeds, which can be dormant in the soil for up to four months, allow T. diversifolia to quickly invade disturbed habitats. By forming dense stands it prevents the growth of young native plants. Depending on the area, T. diversifolia may be either annual or perennial. Being able to produce flowers and seeds throughout the year, coupled with the ability of seeds to be dispersed by wind, water and animals, makes it particularly easy for T. diversifolia to quickly colonize new areas. . Regarded as an environmental weed in Queensland, Australia and New South Wales. It was also recently listed as a priority environmental weed in at least one Natural Resource Management region.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Hemsl.) A.Gray
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Tithonia_diversifolia
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