Tithonia diversifolia
Mexican sunflower ( Tithonia diversifolia )
The Mexican Sunflower ( Tithonia diversifolia ) is a perennial, in Central America, the Caribbean, in the equatorial South America and southern North America native flowering plant. The species belongs to the genus Tithonia, but not to the real sunflowers of the genus Helianthus. It is, however, associated as well as the real sunflowers sunflower family.
Description
The bushy and often ruderal growing plants reach a height of up to 3 m and each carry up to 14 on the main stem branching leafy flowers. Sepals and petals are colored pure yellow. The time of flowering begins with the entry of temporary reduced sunlight of the winter half of the year and lasts until March north of the Equator, south of the equator, according to April-August ( Kurzzeittag - flowering). In Mexico ( Estado de Guerrero ), there are plants that are not affected by daylight lengths in bloom, but by the amount and duration of the irregular rainfall.
Propagation
The reproduction of the plant can be done both by seeds and by cuttings. When cuttings are breaks from the main trunk of about 30 cm length, nor brought forth no blossoms, used. After oblique setting about 20 cm deep in loose soil the cuttings drives with good daily moisturizing after 14 days under the dried up leaf approaches new.
Use
The Mexican sunflower is outside of Central America, partly in horticulture as an ornamental plant use. In some countries, especially in Africa and Asia, there are feral stocks; there applies the type as a neophyte.
In South America, there are approaches to establish the plant as a protein-rich fodder plant. Furthermore, an attempt is made to use by good biomass production and high nutrient levels distinguishing type for green manure.
Since the 1990s, employs medical research in various aspects with the ingredients of the Mexican Sunflower, especially with sesquiterpenes - especially with Tagitinin C.
In Mexico, the leaves are moistened volksheilkundlich in dried form in a mortar with tequila and crushed, then taken orally against parasites of the gastro -intestinal tract. The taste is extremely bitter, hence the addition of mangoes or berries is customary to improve the taste. The Autonomous University of Mexico ( UNAM ) tries to prove that knowledge of the natural healers ( curanderos ) scientifically.