{"assessment":{"band":"Not native","fit_score":null,"native_basis":"not_native","rarity_adjustment":null,"rarity_policy":"Conservation status is displayed separately and never changes ecological scores, including when unranked.","reason":"Reported non-native to Alabama.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a Alabama percentile","score":null,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":false,"invasive_rank":null,"native":false,"state_rank":"SNA"},"status":"not_native","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:8b1dbf2fa55f36e92177788924c9161fcca86a7acfebdb2d20426d99f4e5339d","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[4,4],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:a784d9664aab02cc2ef7ffe8d1105cc2cdbbf4b3998e51e43c93fc3c717bb5c1","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition","source_url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"ph":{"basis":["Bound printed by the source; open end from USDA NRCS soil reaction classes","Range printed by the source"],"categories":["Acid (<6.0)","Neutral (6.0-8.0)"],"evidence_id":"fact:9294f8c83e26d040938b9102ea9941d03ca7a6f5d78f337a7cfdc60bde2a1076","policy":"soil-ph-categories-1","range":[4.5,8],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_characteristic","source_field":"soil_ph_categories","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"evidence":{"fit_score":null,"growth_habit":null,"invasive_status":{"status":"unresolved"},"native_status":{"status":"not_native"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":["01003","01013","01015","01027","01035","01039","01055","01061","01067","01081","01091","01095","01097","01101","01111"],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":["01003","01013","01015","01027","01035","01039","01055","01061","01067","01081","01091","01095","01097","01101","01111"],"growth_habit":null,"growth_habit_source":null,"invasive":null,"invasive_evidence":[],"invasive_rank":null,"native":false,"native_basis":"state_source","native_decided_by":"al_atlas","native_evidence":[{"claim":"introduced","flag":"N","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"AL","source":"al_atlas","url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/677"},{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:I PR:I VI:I","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"basis":"alien asterisk: exotic throughout the Flora area","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"AL-AR-DC-DE-FL-GA-KY-LA-MD-MS-NC-NJ-PA-SC-TN-VA-WV","source":"weakley_fsus","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"Native field of the South Central edition; the state is in its distribution","claim":"introduced","record_id":5930,"scope":"AL-MS-TN","source":"floraquest_south_central","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"AL","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"SNA","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.140887/Cosmos_sulphureus"}],"native_explanation":"Alabama Plant Atlas (published flora, state claim) gives the value, over a broader claim from a higher tier. Speaks for its own area (NC), not this state: Vascular Plants of North Carolina (NC Natural Heritage Program).","native_provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"al_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"native_status":"not_native","package_native_status":"not_native","source_ids":["al_atlas:AL:677"],"source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","source_refs":["al_atlas","gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer"],"source_url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/677","state_rank":"SNA"},"source_refs":["al_atlas","gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer"],"source_url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/677","state_rank":{"value":"SNA"}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":[4.5,8]},"fit_provenance":{"light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition","ph":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox pH categories (Bound printed by the source; open end from USDA NRCS soil reaction classes; Range printed by the source)"},"fit_record":{"band":"Not native","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:8b1dbf2fa55f36e92177788924c9161fcca86a7acfebdb2d20426d99f4e5339d","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[4,4],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:a784d9664aab02cc2ef7ffe8d1105cc2cdbbf4b3998e51e43c93fc3c717bb5c1","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition","source_url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"ph":{"basis":["Bound printed by the source; open end from USDA NRCS soil reaction classes","Range printed by the source"],"categories":["Acid (<6.0)","Neutral (6.0-8.0)"],"evidence_id":"fact:9294f8c83e26d040938b9102ea9941d03ca7a6f5d78f337a7cfdc60bde2a1076","policy":"soil-ph-categories-1","range":[4.5,8],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_characteristic","source_field":"soil_ph_categories","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"county_fips":["01003","01013","01015","01027","01035","01039","01055","01061","01067","01081","01091","01095","01097","01101","01111","12031","12037","12063","12079","12086","12087","12105","12107","21003","47037","47155","51053","51093","51153"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":[4.5,8]},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition","ph":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox pH categories (Bound printed by the source; open end from USDA NRCS soil reaction classes; Range printed by the source)"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"invasive_rank":false,"native_eligible":false,"quercus_score":null,"state":"AL"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"growing_observations":{"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","retrieved":"2026-10-04T13:31:16.252589+00:00","scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"scope_note":"Original regional ecological and identification evidence; no location-specific gardening adjustments.","source_label":"Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition","source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","source_record_id":5930,"source_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/","trait_evidence":[{"field":"habitat_description","source_column":"HabitatText","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5930,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Garden edges, roadsides, disturbed areas; commonly cultivated horticulturally, rarely escaped."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5930,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Native of tropical America."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5930,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Aug-Nov."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5930,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= C, F, Fl7, FNA21, G, Il, K1, K4, Mi, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, S, SE1, WH3; = n/a — RAB, Tat; > Cosmos sulphureus Cavanilles var. sulphureus — Sherff & Alexander (1955)]"},{"field":"regional_wetland_indicators","source_column":"WetlandStatus1..5","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5930,"source_table":"Organism","value":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus1","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus3","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus5","value":"UPL"}]},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5930,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist","Wet"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5930,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Partial shade","Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5930,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr08","Attr1":"nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_pd,ga_cp,","Attr10":"en","Attr11":"bo","Attr12":"or,pi,ye","Attr13":"or,ye","Attr14":"bris,scal","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"n","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_pd:n,native_sc_cp:n,native_sc_pd:n,native_ga_cp:n,","Attr4":" 7-12","Attr5":"gl,pu","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"n","Attr8":"opp","Attr9":"lc"}},{"field":"bloom_season","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5930,"source_table":"Organism","value":"August to November"}],"values":{"bloom_season":"August to November","geographic_range_description":"Native of tropical America.","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr08","Attr1":"nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_pd,ga_cp,","Attr10":"en","Attr11":"bo","Attr12":"or,pi,ye","Attr13":"or,ye","Attr14":"bris,scal","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"n","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_pd:n,native_sc_cp:n,native_sc_pd:n,native_ga_cp:n,","Attr4":" 7-12","Attr5":"gl,pu","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"n","Attr8":"opp","Attr9":"lc"},"habitat_description":"Garden edges, roadsides, disturbed areas; commonly cultivated horticulturally, rarely escaped.","habitat_light_categories":["Partial shade","Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist","Wet"],"phenology_source_text":"Aug-Nov.","regional_wetland_indicators":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus1","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus3","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus5","value":"UPL"}],"taxonomic_synonymy":"[= C, F, Fl7, FNA21, G, Il, K1, K4, Mi, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, S, SE1, WH3; = n/a — RAB, Tat; > Cosmos sulphureus Cavanilles var. sulphureus — Sherff & Alexander (1955)]"}},"ncsu_sitemap":{"matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","retrieved":"2026-10-04T02:33:43.453319+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_sha256":"77813158177faa4df86f0fc4c04cf6a72d3ee4898ab9d8e7818da828be4cb569","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:36745d3d8ef22bd65ef9d2ddbab58c02c8e894f116d11d6e8a80cff58dee1604","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:33:43.453319+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","source_sha256":"77813158177faa4df86f0fc4c04cf6a72d3ee4898ab9d8e7818da828be4cb569","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:dd727b0f-26c8-5145-bd8c-12ccb6dd0184","value":["Annual"]},{"expected_source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:37b3c923a72e5b0b6b59d501db0bbac6cc9391c97a799f36f4dc5abbdf3292a0","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:33:43.453319+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","source_sha256":"77813158177faa4df86f0fc4c04cf6a72d3ee4898ab9d8e7818da828be4cb569","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:dd727b0f-26c8-5145-bd8c-12ccb6dd0184","value":{"max":3,"min":2,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","field":"soil_ph_categories","original_field":"soil_ph","record_id":"trait:4ebad4aac4f54cdabd16982727c740a47732cc4258792fce1f55a1717dd5ab82","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:33:43.453319+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","source_sha256":"77813158177faa4df86f0fc4c04cf6a72d3ee4898ab9d8e7818da828be4cb569","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:dd727b0f-26c8-5145-bd8c-12ccb6dd0184","value":["Acid (<6.0)","Neutral (6.0-8.0)"]},{"expected_source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","field":"spread_description","original_field":"spread","record_id":"trait:7479dfe2bb708604223b1c6df86692166d7e6cc1d5c760f187f141b41f6e56c3","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:33:43.453319+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","source_sha256":"77813158177faa4df86f0fc4c04cf6a72d3ee4898ab9d8e7818da828be4cb569","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:dd727b0f-26c8-5145-bd8c-12ccb6dd0184","value":{"max":3,"min":1,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","field":"hardiness_zones","original_field":"hardiness","record_id":"trait:b1c703ead7c83778beeef2aa5d2260f6b1df9fb31ff03298bc4850cfde35ca47","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:33:43.453319+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","source_sha256":"77813158177faa4df86f0fc4c04cf6a72d3ee4898ab9d8e7818da828be4cb569","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:dd727b0f-26c8-5145-bd8c-12ccb6dd0184","value":["2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b"]},{"expected_source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","field":"light","original_field":"light","record_id":"trait:f5e9131d566de34d55904fcbbd71cfad3d392933fd19f2e0774355c1ea3da86e","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:33:43.453319+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","source_sha256":"77813158177faa4df86f0fc4c04cf6a72d3ee4898ab9d8e7818da828be4cb569","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:dd727b0f-26c8-5145-bd8c-12ccb6dd0184","value":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)"]},{"expected_source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","field":"flower_color","original_field":"flower_color","record_id":"trait:fff5fb32d9a80fc34bc5c58a9da5f065689f58cb6ce8cda5958801fb55246847","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:33:43.453319+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","source_sha256":"77813158177faa4df86f0fc4c04cf6a72d3ee4898ab9d8e7818da828be4cb569","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cosmos-sulphureus/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:dd727b0f-26c8-5145-bd8c-12ccb6dd0184","value":["Gold/Yellow","Orange","Red/Burgundy"]}],"values":{"flower_color":["Gold/Yellow","Orange","Red/Burgundy"],"hardiness_zones":["2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b"],"height_description":"2–3 feet","life_cycle":["Annual"],"light":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)"],"soil_ph_categories":["Acid (<6.0)","Neutral (6.0-8.0)"],"spread_description":"1–3 feet"}}},"light_range":["full sun","full sun"],"light_source":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"introduced","flag":"N","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"AL","source":"al_atlas","url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/677"},{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:I PR:I VI:I","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"basis":"alien asterisk: exotic throughout the Flora area","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"AL-AR-DC-DE-FL-GA-KY-LA-MD-MS-NC-NJ-PA-SC-TN-VA-WV","source":"weakley_fsus","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"Native field of the South Central edition; the state is in its distribution","claim":"introduced","record_id":5930,"scope":"AL-MS-TN","source":"floraquest_south_central","url":"https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","scope":"AL","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"SNA","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.140887/Cosmos_sulphureus"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","decided_by":"al_atlas","explanation":"Alabama Plant Atlas (published flora, state claim) gives the value, over a broader claim from a higher tier. Speaks for its own area (NC), not this state: Vascular Plants of North Carolina (NC Natural Heritage Program).","label":"Not native to Alabama","provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"al_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"rule":"fact-hierarchy-2","status":"not_native"},"source_name":"Cosmos sulphureus","taxon_id":"taxon:dd727b0f-26c8-5145-bd8c-12ccb6dd0184","revision":"publish:cdb975f5-333c-4482-92bd-514ef43ee9c3","photos":[{"id":"inat-252803684","src":"/api/photos/image/9545a96db11203e350b830adc9efd0db6b4f8ecd52964a12f1636f8a80134f46.jpeg","view":"bloom","alt":"Cosmos sulphureus — flower photograph","width":500,"height":333,"artist":"(c) Ricard Busquets Reverte, some rights reserved (CC BY)","license":"CC BY 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","source_url":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/252803684","changes":"iNaturalist medium image; no additional crop, retouching, or re-encoding.","kind":"photo"}]}