Cosmos sp.
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Cosmos sp. is a non-native California perennial in the Asteraceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriocapitella: Eriocapitella has simple lobed leaves, not the thread-like dissected foliage of Cosmos.; vs Tagetes: Tagetes has strongly aromatic foliage when crushed; Cosmos lacks strong scent.; vs Eupatorium: Eupatorium has simple opposite leaves and dense clusters of small fuzzy flowers, not large showy rays.; vs Zinnia: Zinnia has simple, undivided leaves; Cosmos has finely dissected thread-like leaf segments.; vs Dahlia: Dahlia has compound leaves with broad leaflets; Cosmos has thread-like dissected segments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cosmos sp. native to California?
No. Cosmos sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Cosmos sp. belong to?
Cosmos sp. is in the Asteraceae family, genus Cosmos.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.