Big-headed Mexican Sunflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Big-headed Mexican Sunflower
• tree marigold

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Helianthus tubaeformis
• Urbanisol tubaeformis
• Tithonia tubaeformis var. bourgaeana
• Tithonia helianthoides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Tithonia, specifically the species Tithonia tubaeformis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans across both the African and North American continents. In the African region, it can be found throughout South Tropical Africa, specifically within Zambia. Its presence also extends to Southern Africa, where it is documented in Eswatini. Moving to North America, the species is widely distributed across several regions of Mexico. Specifically, it inhabits Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, and the Mexico Gulf areas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tithonia tubaeformis is characterized by its adaptation to diverse montane and subtropical environments, where it occupies a broad altitudinal gradient. This species is typically found across a significant vertical range, thriving at elevations starting from as low as 200 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. Such a wide elevational distribution suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the plant to inhabit various microclimates and soil conditions within these mid-to-high altitude zones. Its ability to persist across this 1800-meter vertical span indicates resilience to varying temperature regimes and moisture availability typical of these tropical or subtropical mountain landscapes.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Tithonia tubaeformis is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. The biological progression begins with seed germination, typically triggered by favorable soil moisture and temperature conditions, leading to the rapid development of a leafy, herbaceous structure. As an annual, the plant prioritizes quick vegetative growth to establish a robust biomass before transitioning into its reproductive phase. During this period, it produces inflorescences that facilitate pollination, eventually leading to the maturation of seeds. Once the seeds are dispersed, the individual plant reaches the end of its life cycle, ensuring the continuation of the species through the next generation of seedlings.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Tithonia tubaeformis is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, specifically categorized as a herb or forb. This plant functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a primarily terrestrial existence across its habitat range, though it can occupy aquactic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial niches. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant, possessing the ability to maintain its upright posture without the need for climbing mechanisms such as lianas or vines.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tithonia tubaeformis is characterized by a diverse array of dispersal syndromes, including anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized mechanisms, with zoochorous dispersal being a notable component of its reproductive strategy. The production of seeds follows specific quantitative parameters, where the seed mass exhibits significant variability. The individual seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.00528 g to a maximum of 0.01094 g, resulting in an overall mean seed mass of approximately 0.0072183335 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass max:

0.01094 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0072183335 g

Seed mass min:

0.00528 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tithonia tubaeformis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Galegine.

Galegine

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Activities

Tithonia tubaeformis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antipyretic.

Antipyretic

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Conditions

Tithonia tubaeformis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pyrexia.

Pyrexia

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Preparations

Tithonia tubaeformis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract.

Extract

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry