Tithonia rotundifolia

Species category

Flower, Weed

Common name

clavel de muerto

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Oblanceolate

Size

  • Length 5–5.2 mm 
  • Width 2–2.2 mm 
  • Thickness 2–2.2 mm 

Color

Brown with small black stipplesStipples:
Numerous small dots or specks.

Texture

May have strong longitudinal ribs or simply striate.

Other structures

AchenesAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
may or may not have strong ribs.

Identification notes

On the pappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
crown there are a few scales with center awnsAwn:
A narrow, bristle-like organ, as on the glumes or lemmas of grasses (Poaceae).
.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Asteraceae

Valid name

Tithonia rotundifolia (Mill.) S.F. Blake

Synonyms

Tagetes rotundifolia Mill.
Tithonia speciosa (Hook.) Griseb

 Tithonia rotundifolia.  Achenes, some with strong ribs.
Tithonia rotundifolia. Achenes, some with strong ribs.