Pests > Pests Entities > Weeds > Sphagneticola (Wedelia) trilobata, ident., Fiji
Pests Pests Entities Weeds Sphagneticola (Wedelia) trilobata, ident., Fiji
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Sphagneticola (Wedelia) trilobata
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| March 2007. The weed illustrated is commonly used in Fiji (and other Pacific islands) as an ornamental for landscaping purposes. It has a yellow flower much like a daisy. It was noticed that in areas where it has colonized, there appears to be less presence of other grasses and weeds. The question asked was, would it be suitable as a ground cover for a teak plantation during the first 3-4 years before the tree canopy is large enough to reduce weed growth; is it beneficial (like nitrogen fixing) or harmful, for instance; and will it inhibit the growth of teak seedlings.
It was identified as Sphagneticola trilobata, a member of the Asteraceae, one of the worse invasive weeds. It has the common name of Singapore daisy. It is highly invasive and not a plant that would be recommended in any plantation or anywhere else. It was reported that it was ???out of control??? in Morea, French Polynesia.
There is much information on this species on the Flobal Invasive Species Database: http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?fr=1&si=44 and on HEAR: www.hear.org/pier. It has been listed as one of the 100 of the world???s worst Invasive alien species. It is used as an ornamental ground cover and also to prevent soil erosion on the slopes of highways in several countries.
Frequent mowing (using twine trimmers) can kill this weed, especially if they are cut to ground level, but it can take several months. |
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