Tithonia fruticosa

The Tithonia fruticosa is one of my favorite members of the Asteraceae family (Sunflower family), which also happens to be the largest family of all vascular plant families. Its common name is the Mexican Sunflower, and it is native to Mexico, but its also found in many other tropical locations. Its particularly unusual because it is a perennial, allowing for growth year after year. A single Mexican Sunflower plant can have over one hundred flowers, but what is even more amazing is its growth habits. It has perennial stems which survive year after year to continue to branch off into more sunflowers. It has an inconsistent flower cycle and will continue to produce new flowers even after old sets of flowers are dying. 

Admittedly, the inflorescence of the Mexican Sunflower isn't as attractive as the large flowers of most other sunflower species.

Comparing the Mexican Sunflower to the Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Mexican Sunflower:
Number of Flower Heads per plant: Multiple to 100+
Growth habit: Perennial
Size of Inflorescence: Small to Medium

Common Sunflower:
Number of Flower Heads per plant: Typically only one
Growth habit: Annual
Size of Inflorescence: Large

The new growth of the Mexican Sunflower is extremely soft, similar to the feeling of velvet. Also the immature flower heads and stems are extremely soft and flexible.

Its woody growth habits are best shown in the picture above. The branches bend due to their extensive length and weight, making a rather sprawling and bushy plant. Near the base the branches come together to the main stem where the woodiness is most prominent.