Scientific Name:
Cosmos bipinnatus
Pronunciation:
KOZ-mose bye-pin-ATE-uss
Common Name:
cosmos, Mexican aster
Family Name:
Asteraceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true)
Key ID Features:
Leaves alternate, ovate in outline, most 6-11cm long x 3-9cm wide, deeply cut into threadlike pinnae (pinnatisect), segments linear, 0.4-1.5 mm wide with leaflets ; flower heads separated, saucer-shaped, daisy-like, 5-10cm wide.
Habit:
Spreading, Upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Origin:
Mexico
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 9: (-7 to -1 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract butterflies, Bedding plant, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Perennial border
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed, Dissected
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Truncate
Margins:
Incised
Inflorescence Type:
Head (capitulum)
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Corolla Shape:
Ligulate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
White, Pink, Magenta, Red (yellow disk florets)
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Achene
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Oct
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant)
