Sulphur Cosmos

sulphureus: pale yellow, sulphur-yellow (not the colour of this species)

Annual herb to c.1.2 m with 4-angled sparsely hispid stems. Leaves: lamina ovate in outline, dissected, with ultimate segments 2-4 mm wide, narrowly oblong and apiculate, glabrous. Capitula c.1.5 cm in diameter (excluding rays). Phyllaries: outer green, acuminate; inner with membranous margins. Receptacular scales c.9 mm. Rays up to 3 cm, c.10, bright orange; apex 3-dentate. Disk florets orange-yellow. Achenes c. 20 mm (including a scabrid beak c.7 mm but excluding the pappus), blackish. Pappus of 2 horizontally spreading setae with retrorsely directed barbs.

Local

Mexico