Genus of over 40 annual and tuberous perennial species also known by the common name cosmos. Originating from scrubland and meadow terrain in Central and South America, this genus is grown and cultivated extensively for its large, showy, summer flowering blooms. Flower colour varies amongst species, including shades of red, pink and white, on long stems up to 2m tall. They can be saucer or bowl-shaped in structure, with petals in opposite pairs.