Cosmos (Cosmos caudatus, Nov. Gen. Sp. 4(17): 188 (ed. fol.) (1818))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Kunth

Bibliography: Nov. Gen. Sp. 4(17): 188 (ed. fol.) (1818)

Year: 1818

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cosmos

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to S. Trop. America

Description

Cosmos, scientifically known as Cosmos caudatus, is a captivating and graceful flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This species, renowned for its vibrant and delicate blooms, was first formally recorded in the botanical literature titled “Nov. Gen. Sp. 4(17): 188 (ed. fol.)” published in 1818 by the botanist Kunth.

This beautiful plant is native to a wide range of tropical regions, extending from Mexico down to South Tropical America. Its adaptability to different climates within this extensive region has made Cosmos a popular choice for gardens and landscapes across the world.

Cosmos caudatus thrives in sunny locations and is appreciated for its easy cultivation and low-maintenance requirements. The plant typically features feathery foliage and an array of colorful flowers that can range from pinks and purples to white. These blooms often attract butterflies and other pollinators, making Cosmos a valuable addition to any garden focused on supporting local wildlife.

Given its charm and resilience, Cosmos has been a favored ornamental plant for centuries, admired for bringing a splash of color and a touch of elegance to various settings. Whether in a wildflower meadow, a structured garden bed, or a container on a sunny patio, Cosmos continues to be celebrated for its beauty and simplicity.

In conclusion, with its origins tracing back to the diverse landscapes of Mexico and South Tropical America, Cosmos caudatus remains a beloved plant for both novice and experienced gardeners alike, embodying the natural splendor of the regions it hails from.

Common Names

Deu: cosmee, schmuckblume
Eng: wild cosmos, cosmos, foxtail
Por: amor-de-moça
En: Cosmos, Wild cosmos, Foxtail
Fr: Cosmos sauvage
De: Cosmee, Schmuckblume
Pt: Amor-de-moça
Ru: Kosmos chvostaty

Synonyms

• Coreopsis gracilis (Blanco)
• Coreopsis coronata (Bertero ex Steud.)
• Bidens carnea (Heer)
• Bidens artemisiifolia f. rubra ((Kuntze) Kuntze)
• Bidens caudata ((Kunth) Sch.Bip.)
• Cosmea caudata (Spreng.)
• Bidens artemisiifolia var. rubra (Kuntze)
• Bidens berteroana (Spreng.)
• Bidens artemisiifolia var. caudata ((Kunth) Kuntze)
• Bidens artemisiifolia var. intermedia (Kuntze)
• Bidens artemisiifolia var. rosea (Kuntze)
• Cosmos pacificus var. chiapensis (Melchert)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Assam (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 7, 2020 by jamel ben said (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2021 by reynaldo rafael (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2022 by Rully Gozali (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2014 by EOL − Mauricio Mercadante (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 18, 2022 by ruri prasetyowati (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by MURLI KRISH (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by Naina Sood (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2021 by Brenden Peace (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 17, 2020 by Viviane Rezzoug (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Park Nari (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Simon Frey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2021 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Alexander Rodríguez (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2022 by ruri prasetyowati (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by Busy bee (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2020 by Chee Keong Chan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2022 by adlai stevensom (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Praveenkumar Honnur (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Shreyash S (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3098932)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:198324-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cosmos caudatus Kunth)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth