Tithonia diversifolia

Tithonia diversifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Tithonia
Species:
T. diversifolia
Binomial name
Tithonia diversifolia
Synonyms
  • Mirasolia diversifolia Hemsl.[1]

Tithonia diversifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is commonly known as the tree marigold,[2] Mexican tournesol, Mexican sunflower, Japanese sunflower or Nitobe chrysanthemum. It is native to Mexico and Central America but has a nearly pantropical distribution as an introduced species.[1] Depending on the area they may be either annual or perennial. It has shown great potential in raising the soil fertility in soils depleted in nutrients.[3]

Originating in Mexico; research has shown its potential in benefiting poor African farmers.[4] This plant is a weed that grows quickly and has become an option as an affordable alternative to expensive synthetic fertilizers.[5] It has shown to increase plant yields and the availability of soil nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).[5]

  1. ^ a b "Tithonia diversifolia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-05-19.
  2. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Tithonia diversifolia​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  3. ^ Achieng, J.O.; Ouma, G.; Odhiambo, G.; Muyekho, F. (2010) [Originally presented 2007 at Biennial Conference, Kenya]. "Effect of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) and inorganic fertilizers on maize yield on alfisols and ultisols of western Kenya". Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America. 1 (5): 740–747. doi:10.5251/abjna.2010.1.5.740.747.
  4. ^ Jama, B., Palm, C. A., Buresh, R. J., Niang, A., Gachengo, C., Nziguheba, G., et al. (2000). Tithonia diversifolia as a green manure for soil fertility improvement in western kenya: A review. Agroforestry Systems, 49. p.202
  5. ^ a b Jama et al. 2000, p.202