Tree Marigold

(Tithonia diversifolia)

Tree Marigold (Tithonia diversifolia)

AntanO

CC BY-SA 4.0

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: AntanO | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: AntanO | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Tithonia_diversifolia_(Tree_marigold).JPG | Notes: {{Information |Description={{en|1=''[[Torreya taxifolia]]'' foliage }} |Source=[http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=2513059 Forestryimages] |Author=Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service |Date=Undated |Permission={{cc-by-3.0 |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Tithonia diversifolia, commonly known as Tree Marigold, is an evergreen subshrub or herb that is native to open woodlands and forest edges in Mexico and Central America. It typically reaches a height of 2–3 meters (6.6–9.8 feet) with upright and sometimes ligneous stalks, taking on the form of woody shrubs. The plant is characterized by its large, showy flowers that are yellow to orange in color, measuring 5–15 cm in width and 10–30 cm in length. Tree Marigold flowers throughout the year, with seeds that are dispersed by wind, water, and animals. In its native habitat, it can be either annual or perennial, depending on local conditions.

Tree Marigold is valued for its ability to enhance soil fertility in nutrient-depleted soils and for its moderate drought tolerance. It thrives in a range of environmental conditions, ideally in areas with annual rainfall between 1000–2000 mm and temperatures of 15-31 degrees Celsius. The plant contributes to increasing essential nutrients in the soil, making it useful for soil improvement and as green manure in agricultural settings. In cultivation, it prefers full sun and can tolerate low to medium water availability, growing best in soils with medium to fast drainage. However, Tithonia diversifolia is known to be extremely invasive in regions outside its native range, such as the Indian Ocean islands, and should be grown with caution.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub, Herb
Height: 6.5-10 feet
Width: 6-10 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Yellow, Orange
Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Low, Medium
Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to open woodlands and forest edges in Mexico and Central America

Other Names

Common Names: Mexican Sunflower, Shrub-Sunflower, Mexican Tournesol, Japanese-Sunflower, Mexican-Sunflower, Mexican Sunflower-Weed, Nitobe Chrysanthemum, Mexikaanse Sonneblom, Riesen-Tithonie, Girassol Mexicano

Scientific Names: , Tithonia diversifolia, Tithonia diversifolia subsp. diversifolia, Tithonia triloba, Tithonia diversifolia subsp. glabriuscula, Mirasolia diversifolia, Helianthus quinquelobus, Tithonia diversifolia var. glabriuscula, Tithonia diversifolia var. diversifolia, Urbanisol tagetiflora f. grandiflorus

GBIF Accepted Name: Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A.Gray