Tree marigold, Mexican sunflowerweed

Mirasolia diversifolia Hemsley, Biol. Cent.-Amer., Bot. 2 : 168, plate 47. 1881

Perennials, subshrubs, or shrubs, to 250(–500) cm. Leaves: petioles 2–6 cm; blades ± deltate to pentagonal, 7–33 × 7–22 cm, sometimes 3- or 5-lobed, abaxial faces glabrous to hispid-pilose. Peduncles 7–24 cm. Phyllaries 16–28 in (3–)4 series, oblong to ovate; outer 6–10 × 4–7 mm, apices rounded to acute, abaxial faces usually glabrous; inner 10–20 × 3–10 mm, apices rounded to acute, abaxial faces glabrous. Paleae 10–13 × 2–3 mm, mucros 1.5–2.5 mm. Ray florets 7–14; corollas yellow, laminae linear, 48–69 × 9–16 mm. Disc florets 80–120+. Cypselae 4–6 mm. 2n = 34.

Flowering Sep–Jan. Disturbed sites; 0–20+ m; introduced; Fla., Tex.; Mexico; also introduced in West Indies, Central America, Asia, Africa, Atlantic Islands, Indian Ocean Islands, Pacific Islands, Australia.

Tithonia diversifolia is widely cultivated in warm climates and may persist after plantings; a report for Louisiana was not confirmed for this treatment.