More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Sunflowers, Bellflowers, and Fanflowers of Zihuatanejo
ORDER ASTERALES
Tridax procumbens
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Sunflowers, Bellflowers, Fanflowers, and Allies (Order Asterales)
-Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies (Family Asteraceae)
-Subfamily Asteroideae
-Tribe Millerieae
-Subtribe Dyscritothamninae
-Genus Tridax
-Tridax procumbens
Tridax procumbens, commonly known as coatbuttons or tridax daisy, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family. It is best known as a widespread weed and pest plant. The plant bears daisylike yellow-centered white or yellow flowers with three-toothed ray florets. The leaves are toothed and generally arrowhead-shaped. This plant can be found in fields, meadows, croplands, disturbed areas, lawns, and roadsides in areas with tropical or semi-tropical climates. Traditionally, Tridax procumbens has been in use in India for wound healing and as an anticoagulant, antifungal, and insect repellent.
Description
• Tridax procumbens, commonly known as coatbuttons or tridax daisy, is a perennial or short-lived herbaceous plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It has creeping, branching stems that often root at the nodes, with ascending flowering shoots that can reach approximately 20–60 cm tall. Its opposite leaves are ovate to lance-shaped, with toothed or irregularly lobed margins and a slightly rough, hairy surface. The small, daisy-like flower heads are borne on long stalks and have white to pale yellow ray florets surrounding a yellow central disc. The fruits are small, dark achenes with feathery bristles that aid wind dispersal. This fast-growing plant can spread readily in disturbed environments and is considered an agricultural weed in many tropical regions.
Range
• Tridax procumbens is native to tropical America, including Mexico, Central America and parts of South America and the Caribbean. It has become widespread throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In Mexico, it is common in warm regions, including Guerrero, where it occurs in both natural and disturbed habitats.
Habitat
• This species grows in sunny, open environments, including grasslands, roadsides, agricultural fields, gardens, pastures and disturbed ground. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and can persist through dry periods once established. Around Zihuatanejo, it is commonly encountered along roadsides, footpaths, vacant lots, field margins and open areas within seasonally dry tropical vegetation. Its creeping growth and abundant wind-dispersed seeds allow it to colonise bare ground rapidly, particularly during the rainy season.
