Emilia coccinea (tassel flower, "Beninigana")

Japanese name: ベニニガナ （紅苦菜）
Scientific name: Emilia coccinea

[Overview]
An annual 0.4–1 m tall.
The stem is erect.
There are basal leaves and leaves alternate on the stem; the basal leaves and the leaves on the lower part of the stem are 5–7 cm long and 2–2.5 cm wide, elliptic to spatulate, with entire or wavy-toothed margins, and have short leaf stalks.
The leaf stalks have narrow wings.
The leaves in the middle of the stem are elliptic to ovate-elliptic, with a halberd-shaped base that clasps the stem.
The leaves on the upper part of the stem are lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, with an eared base that spreads outward and clasps the stem.
Several flower heads form corymbs at the stem tips; the heads are about 1–1.5 cm across, consist entirely of tubular flowers, and are scarlet, rarely yellow.
The involucre is 0.9–1.2 cm across and 1–1.2 cm long, urn-shaped to spinning-top-shaped, with 10–13 involucral bracts in a single row.
The fruit is an achene with a white pappus.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It also spreads readily by self-sown seed.
It dislikes being transplanted, so sow directly or sow in pots and then plant out.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil and a somewhat dry location, and if conditions suit it grows well even when left alone.
When watering, take care not to make the soil too wet, and water thoroughly after the soil surface has dried.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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