cosmos

cosmos (kŏzˈməs) [key], any plant of the tropical American genus Cosmos of the family Asteraceae (aster family). C. bipinnatus, of Mexico, and others are cultivated in many varieties for their showy flowers in shades of red, yellow, and white. Cosmos is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Asterales, family Asteaceae.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.