AgroForestryTree Database
Tithonia diversifolia
 Species identityEcology and distributionPropagation and managementFunctional usesPests and diseasesAdditional InfoBibliographyImages |
Species identity
TaxonomySynonym(s)
Common names
(English) : Mexican sunflower, tithonia
(Indonesian) : harsaga, kembang mbulan
(Javanese) : kembang mbulan
(Thai) : benchamat-nam, daoruang-yipun, thantawan-nu
Botanic description
Tithonia diversifolia is a woody herb or succulent (scandent) shrub 1.2-3 m tall. Leaves opposite or alternate 3- (max. 5) lobed, base attenuate or decurrent, apex acute or acuminate, margin crenate, 5-17 x 3.5-12 cm, densely pubescent beneath; venation palmate; occasionally the upper leaves unlobed. Florets yellow, rays 3-6 cm x 5-18 mm. Heads solitary on a peduncle 6-13 cm long. Each mature stem may bear several flowers at the top of the branches. The specific name ‘diversifolia’ means ‘separated leaves’, from the Latin ‘diversus’ (divergent) and ‘folium’ (leaf).
Ecology and distribution
History of cultivationInitially introduced into Kenya from Central America as an ornamental plant, it escaped from cultivation and now grows wild in hedges, along roadsides and on wasteland.
Natural Habitat
T. diversifolia is a composite shrub common on field boundaries in eastern Africa. In Kenya it is found in Western and Central Provinces as well as in coastal regions and parts of the Rift Valley. It is moderately resistant to drought.
Geographic distribution
Native : Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, United States of America, Zanzibar
Exotic : India, Kenya, Philippines
Biophysical limitsAltitude: 550-1 950 m, Mean annual temperature: 15-31 deg. C, Mean annual rainfall: 1 000-2 000 mm
Reproductive Biology
The plant flowers and produces seeds throughout the year. The light-weight seeds can easily be dispersed by wind, water and animals.
Propagation and management
Propagation methodsT. diversifolia is easily propagated by direct seeding. However, the seeds do not germinate if planted too deep and are washed away if sown superficially. The best method is to make a furrow and cover the seeds lightly with sandy soil. Then apply mulch to prevent the seeds from being washed away and to retain soil moisture. It can also be established by cuttings. For successful propagation, make cuttings 20-30 cm long from the mature plant. Avoid split cuttings, as they do not sprout. Also suitable are bare-root seedlings from nurseries, or wildings.Tree Management
Tithonia is a fast-growing species.
Germplasm Management
Seed storage behaviour is orthodox; the oldest collection is 8 years old.
Functional uses
ProductsFodder: A suitable species for fodder for cows and goats. The leaves, soft branches and even the plant’s yellow flowers are eaten. T. diversifolia has a high nutritive-quality index. Fuel: Tithonia provides farmers with firewood. Medicine: An infusion of leaves is used as a medicine for constipation, stomach pains, indigestion, sore throat and liver pains. The leaves should be ground into small pieces, mixed with water, and then drunk. Other products: Biomass from the existing locally available shrubs of T. diversifolia that commonly grow on field and farm boundaries might be a more economic source of nutrients for crops than the biomass from planted trees.Services
Soil improver: Crops such as maize respond well when leaves and cuttings are applied at the rate of 1 t/ha, but best results are obtained with 5 t/ha of leafy dry matter. This is equivalent to about 159 kg N, 15 kg P, 161 kg K, 100 kg Ca and 15 kg Mn per hectare. Yields of kale, French beans, tomatoes and Napier grass all increased when these crops were planted with T. diversifolia. Ornamental: In Kenya, 1st planted as an ornamental plant. Boundary or barrier or support: Tithonia is used for live fencing and boundary demarcation. Intercropping: Tithonia has a positive effect on crop yields.
Bibliography
Anon. 1986. The useful plants of India. Publications & Information Directorate, CSIR, New Delhi, India.Beentje HJ. 1994. Kenya trees, shrubs and lianas. National Museums of Kenya.
Faridah Hanum I, van der Maesen LJG (eds.). 1997. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 11. Auxillary Plants. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Hong TD, Linington S, Ellis RH. 1996. Seed storage behaviour: a compendium. Handbooks for Genebanks: No. 4. IPGRI.
ICRAF. 1997. Using the wild sunflower, tithonia, in Kenya for soil fertility and crop yield improvement. International Centre for Research in Agroforestry.
Kokwaro JO. 1976. Medicinal plants of East Africa. East African Literature Bureau.
Mayr A. 1996. Evaluation of indigenous fodder trees and shrubs in different agro-ecological zones of western Kenya. Universität für Bodenkultur. Vienna.
Mugah JO. 1996. Proceedings of the First Kenya Agroforestry Conference on people and institutional participation in agroforestry for sustainable development. Kenya Forestry Research Institute.
Williams R.O & OBE. 1949. The useful and ornamental plants in Zanzibar and Pemba. Zanzibar Protectorate.