Sumatran fleabane
Sumatran Fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis)
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| Conyza sumatrensis | ||||||||||||||
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| Conyza sumatrensis |
It is common on waste ground, railways and disturbed ground. It is known by the floral bracts which are distinctly hairy (in contrast to C. canadensis and C. bilbaoana) and by the leaf margin hairs (which are bent forward rather than spreading at right angles as in C. canadensis). It flowers in August and September and has dirty white or rust coloured pappus hairs. Although an abundant alien, it is not invasive in any natural or semi-natural habitats.
Originating in the American continent, this is an introduced weed in the UK, which in certain countries has started to exhibit resistance to herbicides.[1]
In Britain, of the alien British Conyza species, this is the second most abundant (after C. canadensis) and is typically found in London and the South East of England.
It is also found in countries such as: Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Australia.
Plant Details
| Type | Details | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Conyza sumatrensis | Synonyms: Conyza albida, Conyza altissima, Conyza nandina |
| Common Names | fleabane, tall fleabane, broad-leaved fleabane, white horseweed, Sumatran fleabane, Guernsey fleabane | |
| Family | Asteraceae | |
| Seasonality | Annual | |
| Height | 1-2 metres when fully grown (summer/autumn) | |
| Description | Looking somewhat like the more common Rosebay Willowherb, its flowers are white rather than purple-pink. Its leaves are like dandelion leaves, but longer, thinner and more like primrose leaves in colour and texture. Its seeding heads are like dandelions, but straw couloured and smaller. The white flowers are like cornflowers, but smaller, and clustered like cow-parsley. (Excellent pictures.[2]) | |
| Toxicity | (References needed) | |
| Threat to other plants | It poses a significant threat to wildlife conservation areas and other reserves. Its invasive nature and competitive ability could suppress the native flora in the more open habitats it favours. | |
| Origin | South America | |
| Spread | North America | |
| UK | First recorded in London[3] (by Brian Wurzell) in 1984 | |
| France | St Sozy[4] (Dordogne) 2006 | |
| Holland[5] | ||
| Japan[6] | ||
| Malaysia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Australia |
References
1. Weedscience.org Sumatran Fleabane
2. International Environmental Weed Foundation
4. NatureTrek Dordogne trip (pdf)
Comments
"A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."Ralph Waldo Emerson