Thursday, November 5, 2009

Bolivian Sunflower

The Bolivian Sunflower, Tithonia diversifolia is flowering in many of the vacant plots now. I had it for many years, and I discarded it because it was becoming too unmanageable.It also gave me an allergy. A branch has somehow found its way to the vacant plot behind my house and it is flourishing there.
The Tithonia is named after the Trojan warrior Tithonus, who was the object of adoration of Eos, the Greek goddess of Dawn. After persuing him and winning him, she became tired of him and turned him into a grasshopper! So much for gods and goddesses.
There in another red variety, the Mexican Tithonia, which is an annual. It has disappeared completely from my garden, although I tried to save it.

5 comments:

  1. It really is such a pretty flower. I know I've heard of these before, but haven't got any in my garden. I hope you can find the red type again, especially if you aren't allergic to it.

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  2. I hope I can find the red one too, Catherine. Have a nice weekend!

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  3. Lotus I think you should dig it out from the vacant lot . It is a serious weed here and takes all the goodness from the soil so nothing else will grow there

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  4. Oh, Thanks for telling me, Ian. I'll ask my gardener to dig it out.

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