Tithonia diversifolia

Tithonia diversifolia
Specimen in Saint-Paul, Réunion
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Tithonia Species: T. diversifolia
Binomial name
Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray

The tree marigold, Mexican tournesol, Mexican sunflower or Nitobe chrysanthemum (Tithonia diversifolia) is a species of plant in the Asteraceae family now distributed in tropical and subtropical areas such as Central America, Southeast Asia and Africa. Depending on the area they may be either annual or perennial, two to three metres in height with upright and sometimes ligneous stalks in the form of woody shrubs. The flowers are orange. It is widely accepted that they were at one stage native to Central America or Mexico, hence the name.

Symbolism and uses

• In Japan, towards the end of the Meiji Period, they were imported as ornamental plants although seldom cultivated there. Having a characteristic bitter taste, they were used to induce a fever to help fight poisoning, although not used for direct medicinal purposes. There is also the story of the species being introduced to Japan by Nitobe Inazo, hence its Japanese name, the Nitobe chrysanthemum (ニトベギク; Nitobegiku).

• In Mexico, they are used to treat sprains, bone fractures, bruises and contusions.

• In Southern China they are used to treat skin diseases (such as athlete's foot), night sweats, as a diuretic, hepatitis, jaundice and cystitis.

• They are sold in herbal medicine markets in Taiwan to be infused to improve liver function.

• It is the provincial flower of Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand.

• It is the unofficial symbol of Da Lat city, Vietnam.

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