Orange cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus, Icon. 1: 56 (1791))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Cav.

Bibliography: Icon. 1: 56 (1791)

Year: 1791

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cosmos

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Mexico to C. America

Description

Orange cosmos, scientifically known as Cosmos sulphureus, is a vibrant annual flowering plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. First documented by Cav. in 1791, this striking plant has its origins traced back from Mexico extending to Central America.

The plant is well-known for its brilliant orange blooms, which bring a splash of lively color to gardens and landscapes. The flowers, resembling daisies, can attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it not only an aesthetic addition but also an ecologically valuable one.

Cosmos sulphureus is favored by gardeners for its hardy nature and ease of cultivation. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, exhibiting a remarkable tolerance for poor soil conditions and drought. These characteristics make it an ideal choice for xeriscaping and areas prone to dry spells.

In addition to its ornamental value, Orange cosmos is sometimes used in traditional medicines and as a natural dye due to its richly colored petals. It can also serve as a companion plant in vegetable gardens, where its presence helps in deterring pests.

For those looking to cultivate Orange cosmos, sowing seeds after the last frost date will yield the best results. The plant grows rapidly, often reaching heights of up to 2-6 feet, and starts blooming in the early summer continuing into the fall. This extended blooming period ensures that gardens remain awash with color throughout the warmer months.

Overall, with its stunning flowers and minimal care requirements, Cosmos sulphureus is an excellent choice for both novice and seasoned gardeners. Its adaptability and ecological benefits make it a treasured addition to any garden or landscape.

Common Names

Eng: cosmos, orange cosmos, sulphur cosmos, yellow cosmos, poppy, golden cosmos
Deu: gelbe kosmeee, gelbes schmuckkörbchen
Dan: orange smykkekurv
Spa: panchita
Por: cosmo-amarelo, cosmos-amarelo, picão, picão-grande, áster-do-méxico
Fra: cosmos soufré
Swe: gullskära
En: Orange cosmos, Sulphur cosmos, Yellow cosmos, Cosmos, Poppy, Golden Cosmos
Ar: قسموس كبريتي
Zh: Liu huang ju, 硫华菊, 硫華菊
Cs: Krásenka sírožlutá
Da: Orange smykkekurv
Fi: Keltakosmos, Keltakosmoskukka
Fr: Cosmos soufré, Cosmos, Cosmos sulfureux
De: Gelbes Schmuckkörbchen, Gelbe Kosmeee
Hu: Sárga pillangóvirág, Kénsárga pillangóvirág
Ko: 노랑코스모스
Ms: Pokok Ulam Raja Kuning
Ml: മാങ്ങാനാറി
Fa: گل ستاره‌ای
Pt: Cosmos-amarelo, Cosmo-amarelo, Picão, Picão-grande, Áster-do-méxico
Ru: Kosmos želtyj, Космея серно-жёлтая
Es: Panchita
Sv: Gullskära
Zh-tw: 黃波斯菊
Th: ดาวกระจาย
Zh-hant: 硫華菊
Vi: Cúc vạn thọ tây vàng

Synonyms

• Cosmea sulphurea ((Cav.) Willd.)
• Cosmos sulphureus var. exaristatus (Sherff)
• Cosmos sulphureus var. hirsuticaulis (Sherff)
• Cosmos sulphureus var. typicus (Sherff)
• Cosmos aurantiacus (Klatt)
• Bidens sulphurea ((Cav.) Sch.Bip.)
• Bidens artemisiifolia (Kuntze)
• Cosmos gracilis (Sherff)
• Coreopsis artemisiifolia (Jacq.)
• Cosmos artemisiifolius ((Jacq.) M.R.Almeida)

Distribution

• 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)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Daniel Ruelle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2019 by claude Nevejans (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 8, 2020 by Hajnal Gyeviki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2018 by valentina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Partanen Asta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Min Min (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2020 by debichou85 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 21, 2022 by Contented88 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2019 by Pierre Sosson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by masabi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Partanen Asta (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 20, 2021 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2021 by anne la fay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Syl Fred (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2019 by Pierre Sosson (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 3, 2019 by Luis Oscar Herrera Valdez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Eric RICALENS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2021 by Fernando da Luz Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − רשאד חלאילה (cc-by)

© 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.

Bark

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Nelly Morvan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2021 by Paridhi Shah (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2020 by Castañeda giselle (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3098951)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:198368-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cosmos sulphureus Cav.)

Specifications

Growth