Description
Emilia – Cacalia – Tassel Flower –
There are about 24 species of rosette forming annuals, in this genus. They occur in disturbed ground or stony slopes, to 11,500′ feet high, in tropical Africa, India, and Polynesia. The lower leaves are lance-shaped-oblong or pinnatifid, stalkless or with winged stalks, the upper leaves are oblong to ovate, and clasp the stems. In summer, stiff, slender, leaf stems carr upright, tassel-like, red, yello, purple-red, or orange flowers, held singly or in corymbs. Grow in an annual border. The flowers are good for drying.
Grow in well drained soil in full sun.
E. sonchifolia – Cacalia sonchifolia – This smooth to slightly hairy, rosette forming annual from Tropical Africa and Asia grows 18-24″ tall and 12-24″ wide. It produces toothed, mid to gray green leaves, to 4″ long, the lower leaves have winged stalks, the upper leaves are smaller and almost arrow shaped. In summer it bears loosely clustered corymbs of fluffy, purple-red flowers, to ½” across.
Hardiness 8-1
