Cosmos Cav.

2 species naturalized Aust.; Qld, NSW

*Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.

Erect, annual herb up to 3 m high. Leaves opposite, glabrous or pubescent, up to 12 cm long, bipinnately segmented into linear segments. Heads solitary, on long peduncles. Involucre 10–15 mm diam.; bracts herbaceous, in 2 rows; the outer ones connate at the base. Ray florets female but without styles; ray 2–4 cm long, 10–15 mm wide, white pink red or purple. Cypselas flattened, oblong, glabrous, 8–10 mm long, beaked. Pappus absent. Widespread. Garden escape near habitation; roadsides. Introd. from Mexico. Fl. summer. Cosmos