An annual herb. It grows 1-3 m tall. The stems are stout and rough. The leaves are alternate and oval. They have teeth around the edge. The lowest leaves can be heart shaped. The leaves are 10-25 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are hairy. The flower is large and occurs singly. It can be 20 cm across. It is yellow. The fruit is 4 angled and 1 cm long by 4 mm wide. It is a tropical plant. It grows between 550-1,950 m above sea level. In the Philippines it occurs along roadsides at higher elevations. In Yunnan
Common names : Wild sunflower, Giant Mexican Sunflower, Japanese sunflower, Kade putali phul, Kembang bulan, Marigold shrub, Malulu, Malulua, Matalaa, Negya-ni, Tree marigold,
Synonyms :
Helianthus quinquelobus Sesse & Moc.;
Mirasolia diversifolia Hemsl.;
Tithonia diversifolia subsp. diversifolia;
Urbanisol tagetiflora var. glabriuscula S. F. Blake;
and others