Native distribution of Cosmos bipinnatus

[PIETER WINTER]

A query for southern USA colleagues:

I have had a query from a local historian as to whether=20
Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.=20
(=3DBidens formosa (Bonato) Sch. Bip.; =3DCoreopsis formosa Bonato)=20
occurs naturally around New Orleans.=20

In South Africa, where it is widely naturalised, we commonly refer to it =
as Cosmos. What we would like to know is:

1) Does it have any other vernacular names in the USA? =20
2) Would it have occured around New Orleans at the turn of the century =
(1890=27s)?=20
3) If not, where would the closest occurrence have been?

We would appreciate any help.

Pieter Winter
Curator, Herbarium, University of the North
Sovenga, S. Africa