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(Cosmos parviflorus)
Southwestern Cosmos (Cosmos parviflorus)
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Sam Kieschnick
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Sam Kieschnick
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Sam Kieschnick | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Sam Kieschnick | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-08-20T05:54:37-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cosmos parviflorus, commonly known as Southwestern Cosmos, is an annual herb native to open woodlands, meadows, and grasslands in the Southwestern United States and extending into the Central and Gulf regions of Mexico. It can grow up to 100 cm (40 inches) tall and features deeply divided leaves with narrow linear segments. The plant is notable for its daisy-like flowers with ray florets that can be red, pink, or white, often with colors mixed within the same population, blooming in summer and fall. The flowers are moderately showy and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Achenes, the fruit of Cosmos parviflorus, are barbed, facilitating their dispersal by adhering to fur or clothing.
Southwestern Cosmos is valued for its vibrant and colorful flowers, which can enhance the visual appeal of wildflower gardens, borders, and naturalized areas. It is relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it a good choice for novice gardeners. This plant thrives in full sun and requires medium amounts of water, performing best in well-drained soils. It is not particular about soil type, adapting to various conditions. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from fungal diseases in overly moist conditions. Southwestern Cosmos can self-seed prolifically, which may be considered invasive in some areas, so gardeners should monitor and manage its spread to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Southwestern Cosmos is valued for its vibrant and colorful flowers, which can enhance the visual appeal of wildflower gardens, borders, and naturalized areas. It is relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it a good choice for novice gardeners. This plant thrives in full sun and requires medium amounts of water, performing best in well-drained soils. It is not particular about soil type, adapting to various conditions. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from fungal diseases in overly moist conditions. Southwestern Cosmos can self-seed prolifically, which may be considered invasive in some areas, so gardeners should monitor and manage its spread to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White, Pink
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands, meadows, and grasslands
Other Names
Common Names: Juve, Aceitilla Blanca
Scientific Names: , Cosmos parviflorus, Coreopsis parviflora, Cosmea parviflora, Cosmos bipinnatus var. parviflorus, Bidens humboldtii,
GBIF Accepted Name: Cosmos parviflorus (Jacq.) Pers.