Showy annual with multi-colored petals. It prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter which needs to be kept well-watered. Does best with cool night temperatures and mulching to keep the soil cool. In the deep south plant as a cool weather plant.
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.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Mounding
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower detail
Multicoloured funnel-shaped showy flowers
Bloom time
Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Americas, Australia, Africa, and Asia
Food & Medicine
Uses (ethnobotany)
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a slightly bitter flavour and are mostly added to salads as the leaves can also be used as a lettuce substitute. Native Americans ate the young stems and leaves of smaller, non-woody varieties. The root was used as an astringent and the crushed plant as a poultice for rope burns and minor wounds.