Emilia sonchifolia and Emilia fosbergii are two plants in the genus Emilia that are referred to as tasselflower. They are distinguished from each other by the flowers and leaves. While both have a dark green upper leaf and a lighter green underside Emilia sonchifolia 's lower leaves are rounded to kidney shaped, while its upper leaves have a narrow/oval shape. The leaves can grow up to 6" long. The leaves of Emilia fosbergii are smaller, growing up to 4" long, and have a narrow oval shape. Flowers on Emilia sonchifolia are flat-topped, while the flowers of Emilia fosbergii are bell-shaped. They can be found growing in a variety of soil types in pastures, along roads, the edges of forests and unfortunately in nurseries, greenhouses and other disturbed sites, which in turn can spread to your garden. Each plant can produce over 5,000 seeds. Tassel-flower is an annual or perennial plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to Africa, Asia and the Americas. Emilia sonchifolia has naturalized in North America and other tropical locations. Upright stems are sparsely branched and dotted with red, pink or lavender flowers that resemble tassels, hence the common name. Some varieties can be quite weedy, but seedlings are easily recognized and pulled by hand. Stems of young plants are distinctively hairy, but they lose hairs with age. Seed heads are small (1/2 inch or less in diameter) dandelion-like globes of wind-dispersed seed. Plant in the front of the border in well-drained soil in full sun. They are tolerant of heat and humidity and the flowers are long-lasting and give an airy appearance. They can be grown in containers and make good cut flowers. They are magnets for pollinators, esp. hoverflies, butterflies and skippers. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Some are weedy, but the seedlings are easy to recognize and removed by hand.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Leaves of all three common species have toothed margins that resemble sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.). Plants initially form a rosette of leaves then upright stems elongate. Leaves at the base are broad with toothed margins and have winged petioles, while leaves on the flower stalk clasp the stem with no petioles. Leaves on the flower stalk have toothed margins and taper to a point.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Dome; Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Red, pink, or light purple flowers with upright narrow petals giving them a fringed look. Plants flower in summer and then die after frost.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
White
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Achene with fine bristled papus, or hairs that are disbursed by the wind.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Wiry, curvy, thin stems, multi-branched. The branches are purplish-green.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
India, China and Southeast Asia.
Wildlife value
Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.