Cosmos sulphureus

Image 1 - Observational study done by Adrian Higares - April 2026

The Cosmos sulphureus is an annual flower which provides beautiful orange and yellow blooms in the spring and early summer seasons in Phoenix, Arizona. This flower is a member of the Asteraceae family, exhibiting traits such as a capitulum, bipinnate leaf structure (Image 2), taproot with branching, lateral fibrous roots, and a light trichome layer along the stems.

Image 2 - Photo taken by Adrian Higares - Phoenix, AZ - April 2026

The Capitulum (Image 3) is made up of disc and ray florets. The disc florets exist in the center of the flower structure and are actually many small flowers which do the work of producing seed during the reproductive phase of this flowering plant. The ray florets are mostly sterile, primarily serving the purpose of attracting pollinators.

Image 3 - Photo taken by Adrian Higares - Phoenix, AZ - April 2026

Two primary colors for this flower are orange and yellow (Images 4 & 5).

Image 4 - Photo taken by Adrian Higares - Phoenix, AZ - April 2026

Image 5 - Photo taken by Adrian Higares - Phoenix, AZ - April 2026

The specimen shown in Image 1 was pulled from my backyard flower garden which I sowed in the first week of March. Photographs of the body and root systems are shown below in Images 6 & 7.

Image 6 - Photo taken by Adrian Higares - Phoenix, AZ - April 2026

Image 7 - Photo taken by Adrian Higares - Phoenix, AZ - April 2026

Based on my experience, I recommend sowing these flowers in mid-February, granted temperatures remain as warm in winter as they have been over the past few years. If freezing temperatures occur, sow after the last frost.