Tithonia diversifolia
Mexican sunflower
...... is a favourite common name for this
majestic plant although it does have quite a few common names.
Occurring
naturally in Mexico and Central America this non hardygiant of a sun flower has escaped cultivation and become established
in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world.
It becomes shrub
like very quickly and is considered invasive in parts of Southern and Eastern
Africa, Australia and many Pacific Islands.
It flowers
spectacularly here in late summer at a height of 2 – 3 metres and continues
flowering until the temperature drops too low.
One plant can
easily grow to 5m and spread to 3.5m in it’s second year here on the Costa
Tropical.
