Cosmos

2. Cosmos  Cosmos sulphureus (= Cosmos artemesifolia, C. auranticus, Bidens sulphurea, B. artemisifolia )

Other names: yellow cosmos,  sulphur cosmos

Tricky to start from seed but undemanding once established. Half-hardy annual. Attracts butterflies

Uses: young shoots are eaten in Indonesia as lalab or Gudang, and in Thailand in salads. Also as a herbal tea.

Dye: the dye was used in pre-Columbian America, and later in Southern Africa to dye wool. It gives a beautiful light orange on silk and wool.