Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Annuals

Mexican Sunflower, Tithonia fruticosa

Mexican Sunflower, Tithonia fruticosa. Flowering Photos Taken April 19, 2008. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Mexican Sunflower, Tithonia fruticosa	Mexican Sunflower, Tithonia fruticosa

Mexican Sunflower Tithonia fruticosa, Aster or Sunflower Family ( Asteraceae ), also known as the Composite Family: ( Compositae ), Mexican Sunflower: Also called; Tree Sunflower, Jalacate, Guasmara, Mirasol. Tithonia fruticosa is a fast growing, stout, dense shrub of mostly upright stems, sometimes growing very large in cultivation. It has olive - green leaves and stems that are are velvety. Its' leaves are wide at the base, then narrowing to a pointed tip, about 2½ to 12 inches long. Tithonia fruticosa has bright yellow flower heads which are from about 2¾ to 3¾ inches wide. When its flowers dry up, the petals fall off and a golden brown, rounded seed-head remains. It contains many narrow black seeds. Butterflies visit the flowers for nectar and the seeds are relished by birds. Tithonia fruticosa is uncommon in most nurseries. The smaller Mexican Sunflower (T. rotundifolia) can be purchased from several nurseries. Height: Up To 9 to 12 feet tall. 9 to 12 feet wide. Flowers: Brilliant orange-yellow, up to about 2¾ to 3¾ inches in diameter; almost constantly in bloom. Blooming Time: The summer monsoon season (July - mid September), Fall (Octover - November). Leaves: Coarse, 3 - lobed, 4 - 10 in long and 2 - 4 in wide. Covered with a soft fur. Found: There are about 10 species of Tithonia native to Mexico in Sonora and Sinaloa to Chihuahua and Durango, and into Central America. Elevation: 0 - 4,800 Feet. Habitat: Sandy desert soils, hot, sunny areas, good drainage, 0 to 4,800 feet. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken April 19, 2008. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Great Xeriscape plant. Hardy to: 30° - 35° F. Can be a perennial.