Fact sheet about Tithonia diversifolia

Distribution and habitat

It is a common shrub on field boundaries, grasslands and disturbed lands in East Africa. Initially introduced into Kenya, where it is exotic, from Central America as an ornamental plant, it is now found in Western and Central provinces, in coastal regions and parts of the Rift Valley. It grows in regions of 550-1950m altitude and mean annual temperature of 15-310C and mean annual rainfall of 100-2000mm.

Flowering and fruiting habits

It is a woody herb to succulent shrub up to 3 m tall. Opposite leaves, attenuate base, acute apex, crenate margin, up to 17 x 12 cm, densely pubescent beneath, palmate venation. Flowers are yellow. Flower heads solitary on a peduncle 6-13 cm long. Each mature stem may bear several flowers. The plant flowers and produces seeds all year round.

Uses other than pesticidal

Medicinal: Infusion of T. diversifolia is suitable for constipation,

stomach pains, indigestion, sore throat, liver pains and treating malaria.

The plant also exerts anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimalarial, antiviral,

antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, vaso-relaxant

and cancer-chemo preventive properties/effects.

Fodder: Leaves, soft branches, and flowers are used as fodder due to

its high nutritive-quality index.

Fuel: Farmers use T. diversifolia for firewood

Propagation and cultivation

T. diversifolia can be propagated from seeds and cuttings. Seeds germinate readily when sown fresh, without treatment, all year round. Seeds are sprinkled directly on soil or covered with soil. Stem cuttings of 20 to 40 cm length establish readily. The cuttings should be planted into moist soil immediately after collection and not allowed to dry in the sun.

Seed collection & Storage

The dried fruits are sieved to remove the husks, to obtain seeds

Seed storage behaviour is orthodox, therefore amenable to long-term cold storage

Parts used

Leaves

Preparation

Petroleum or water extracts of dried, ground leaves

Uses

Surface application

Target organisms

Against plant pathogenic fungi and broad range of insects