tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436300684009668766.post5457263445853134346..comments2024-03-16T16:14:05.347-04:00Comments on Garden Adventures: Tithonia diversifolia (Bolivian sunflower)Grower Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561476915875077550noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436300684009668766.post-47397060211759516832014-08-06T16:51:45.359-04:002014-08-06T16:51:45.359-04:00That link is definitely out of my league...anythin...That link is definitely out of my league...anything starting with "scholar" usually is. I was checking out my plants again last night and I'm going with the idea that I have a fertile Zambia specimen, especially since I have to pull up unwanted seedlings fairly often and my mature plants look identical to yours listed here. Too bad you're not closer to me David ~ I'd pot them up for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436300684009668766.post-55658854105182719872014-08-06T05:19:24.678-04:002014-08-06T05:19:24.678-04:00It's also worth noting that this species was i...It's also worth noting that this species was introduced to Africa as an ornamental and has become invasive in certain parts. It's odd that there would be such a divergence after being introduced. Possibly a single fertile plant was brought to Zambia and gave rise to the numerous progeny now growing there!Grower Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03561476915875077550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436300684009668766.post-25193389120607294972014-08-06T05:12:19.708-04:002014-08-06T05:12:19.708-04:00There are apparently both sterile and fertile cult...There are apparently both sterile and fertile cultivars of this plant. There is a scientific study of the genus Tithonia that addresses the issue and finds that specimens from Nigeria are sterile and plants from Zambia are fertile. Here's a link if you enjoy reading taxonomic studies: http://scholar.oauife.edu.ng/sites/default/files/ijs/files/tithonia-annual-perennial-speciation.june_.omotoye-olorode-sekinat-o.-hassan-olajumoke-a.-olabinjo-and-idris-o.-raimi.2011_0.pdfGrower Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03561476915875077550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436300684009668766.post-24570597076295545702014-08-05T15:44:29.161-04:002014-08-05T15:44:29.161-04:00David - no, definitely not the Tithonia rotundifol...David - no, definitely not the Tithonia rotundifolia (I have that too, but it's an annual, right?) - my plants looks identical to this one posted here . . . is there a third type perhaps? I have several seedlings now that have "popped" up on their own near the main plant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436300684009668766.post-13180134544447521392014-08-05T11:02:09.381-04:002014-08-05T11:02:09.381-04:00@Elizabeth Hart
I've never had mine reseed at...@Elizabeth Hart<br /><br />I've never had mine reseed at all. Are you perhaps thinking of <i>Tithonia rotundifolia?</i><br /><br />Alternately, you might have a non-sterile cultivar.David The Goodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10198938190820294516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436300684009668766.post-91227598457100776792014-08-05T11:01:01.359-04:002014-08-05T11:01:01.359-04:00This is truly an excellent plant, particularly for...This is truly an excellent plant, particularly for fixing so-so soils. Mine reach about 20' here. Incredible.David The Goodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10198938190820294516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436300684009668766.post-82954494580803413242014-08-05T08:18:10.751-04:002014-08-05T08:18:10.751-04:00I love this plant and the fact that it reseeds eas...I love this plant and the fact that it reseeds easily (I now have three large ones thanks to so many seedlings). I find that my mature plant puts off a very unique aroma - just like an antique book store (if you can imagine that). That's one of the reasons I think I love it so much. Well that ~ and all those amazing late summer / early fall blooms.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com