How to identify Cosmos (Cosmos)

How to identify Cosmos (Cosmos)

Cosmos exhibits robust adaptability, growing in arid and warm environments as a resilient annual. It blooms prolifically from the warm summer months until the onset of frost. Its flowers exhibit radial symmetry with a spectrum of hues, including pinks, whites, and deep purples. Foliage is typically feathery and delicate, adding to its airy appearance. These plants can attain heights of 1 to 6 feet (30cm to 182cm), and individual blossoms can range from 2 to 4 inches (5cm to 10cm) in diameter.

Lifespan: Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Cosmos

Saucer-shaped flowers with wide, overlapping petals and central yellow disk.

Finely cut leaves divided into thread-like sections, creating a feathery appearance.

Long, slender stems with hollow interiors and smooth texture.

Radial symmetry in flower blooms, with hues ranging from pinks to deep purples.

Robust adaptability as a resilient annual, thriving in arid and warm environments.

Detailed Traits of Cosmos

Leaf Features

Cosmos leaves are finely cut and delicately divided into thread-like sections, creating a feathery appearance. Each leaf typically measures around 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) in length. The leaves are bright green, soft to the touch, and exhibit a finely dissected or pinnately lobed structure, with a central vein and multiple slender segments radiating outwards. Their intricate and airy structure is a distinguishing feature, making them particularly notable among other foliage.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Cosmos flowers are saucer-shaped and daisy-like, with a diverse palette of colors including pink, white, yellow, and red. Each blossom measures about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in diameter, featuring wide, overlapping petals that radiate from a central yellow disk. The flowers are perched atop long, slender stems, contributing to their delicate and airy appearance. Blooming primarily from summer to fall, their fragrance is typically mild. Deadheading extends their display but also allows for self-seeding.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of cosmos is long, slender, and relatively smooth, typically measuring between 18 to 36 inches (45 to 90 cm) in height. It features a green color that may have slight purplish hues. The stems are typically hollow inside, facilitating lightweight structure. They exhibit a branched pattern with nodes at intervals where leaves and flowers emerge. The texture is generally smooth with a slightly waxy surface, contributing to the plant's resilience against environmental factors.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

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