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Mexican Aster

Cosmos bipinnatus

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameMexican Aster

DescriptionGraceful annual with airy, fern-like foliage and cheerful daisy-like flowers in pink, white, purple, or red with yellow centers. Delicate star-shaped blooms float above fine-textured leaves on tall, slender stems. One of the easiest annuals to grow from seed, thriving in heat and poor soil with minimal care. Blooms prolifically from summer until frost. Native to Mexican scrublands, now beloved worldwide for cottage gardens and wildflower meadows. Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds while making excellent cut flowers.

FamilyAsteraceae

GenusCosmos

TribeCoreopsideae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(pappus) C(5) A(5) G(2)

Ebracteate, radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, calyx modified into pappus (bristles or scales), 5 fused petals forming ray florets (outer) or disc florets (center), 5 stamens with fused anthers forming tube (syngenesious), 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Composite flower head (capitulum) typical of Asteraceae

Features

Name 'Cosmos' from Greek 'kosmos' meaning harmony, order, or universe, for orderly arrangement of petals. 'Aster' from Greek for star, describing flower shape. Spanish priests in Mexico named it for harmonious petal arrangement. About 35 Cosmos species. Introduced to Europe in 18th century from Mexico
Flowers 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across with 8 broad ray petals surrounding yellow disc florets. Colors include pink, white, magenta, purple, red, and bicolors. Single or semi-double forms. Blooms summer through frost (June-November). Each flower lasts 5-7 days. Continuous blooming. Excellent cut flowers lasting 7-10 days in vase
Tender annual with upright, branching stems. Foliage finely divided, thread-like, feathery appearance creating airy texture. Bright green leaves. Fast-growing from seed. Self-sows prolifically. Stems can be weak - may need staking in windy areas. Dies with first frost. Easy to grow, tolerates neglect
Height varies by variety: dwarf types 1-2 feet (30-60 cm), standard types 3-6 feet (90-180 cm). Spread 1-2 feet. Lifespan one growing season (annual). Propagated from seed (germinates 7-10 days). Direct sow or start indoors. Blooms 60-90 days from seed. Self-sows for next year
Native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Found in scrublands, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Now cultivated worldwide as ornamental. Naturalized in warm temperate regions. Thrives in areas with hot summers. Grows wild in many regions after escaping cultivation
Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily) for best flowering. Thrives in poor to average, well-drained soil - too-rich soil produces foliage over flowers. Drought tolerant once established. Heat tolerant. Avoid overwatering and fertilizing. Deadhead to prolong blooming. Zones 2-11 as annual. Prefers hot, dry conditions
Excellent for cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and cutting gardens. Outstanding cut flower - cut when fully open. Attracts butterflies (especially monarchs), bees, and hummingbirds. Provides late-season nectar. Seeds eaten by birds in fall. Easy care, perfect for beginners. Deer resistant
Self-sows readily, returning year after year. Airy texture softens garden borders. Tall varieties make good temporary screens. Symbolizes order, harmony, and peace. Popular in cottage and informal gardens. Can become weedy through self-seeding. Taller varieties may need support in windy locations

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCosmos bipinnatus

English (Alternate)Garden Cosmos, Cosmea, Cut-leaf Cosmos, Common Cosmos

Hindiकॉसमॉस (Cosmos), ब्रह्मांड का पौधा (Brahmand ka paudha), गुलाबी तारा (Gulabi Tara)

Tamilகாஸ்மோஸ் (Cosmos), பேரண்டம் பூ (Perandam Poo), நட்சத்திர மலர் (Natchathira Malar)

Teluguకాస్మోస్ పూలు (Cosmos Poolu), నక్షత్ర పువ్వు (Nakshatra Puvvu)

Malayalamകോസ്മോസ് (Cosmos), ആകാശമല്ലി (Aakaashamalli), നക്ഷത്രപ്പൂവ് (Nakshatrappuvu)

Kannadaಕಾಸ್ಮಾಸ್ (Cosmos), ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ ಹೂವು (Nakshatra Hoovu), ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡ ಹೂವು (Brahmanda Hoovu)

Sanskritब्रह्माण्ड पुष्पम् (Brahmānda Pushpam), तारा पुष्प (Tara Pushpa)

Bengaliকসমস (Cosmos), মেক্সিকান অ্যাস্টার (Mexican Aster), তারা ফুল (Tara Phul)

FrenchCosmos, Cosmos bipenné, Cosmée

RussianКосмея (Kosmeya), Космос (Kosmos), Мексиканская астра (Meksikanskaya astra)

SpanishCosmos, Mirasol, Girasol morado

GermanSchmuckkörbchen, Kosmee, Mexikanische Aster

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.