Parthenium hysterophorus
Encyclopedia
Parthenium hysterophorus is a species of flowering plant
in the aster family, Asteraceae
, that is native to the American
tropics. Common names include Santa Maria Feverfew and Whitetop Weed. It is a common invasive species
in India, Australia, and parts of Africa. P. hysterophorus invades all disturbed land, including farms, pastures, and roadsides. In some areas, outbreaks have been of almost epidemic proportions, affecting crop production, livestock and human health. In India, it was first present as a contaminant in imported wheat. It can trigger allergies and is a common cause of pollen allergy.
Paraquat (Gramxone) solution (2 L in 600 L water) can be applied on plants growing on roads and bunds or vacant land. In crops it can be applied by rubbing it on plants by hand (solution soaked in some cotton cloth). If the populating in cultivated field is less it should be removed manually. Otherwise will spread very fast and the population will reach beyond control. The herbicide application should be done when weeds are quite young.
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
in the aster family, Asteraceae
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
, that is native to the American
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
tropics. Common names include Santa Maria Feverfew and Whitetop Weed. It is a common invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
in India, Australia, and parts of Africa. P. hysterophorus invades all disturbed land, including farms, pastures, and roadsides. In some areas, outbreaks have been of almost epidemic proportions, affecting crop production, livestock and human health. In India, it was first present as a contaminant in imported wheat. It can trigger allergies and is a common cause of pollen allergy.
Toxicity
Contact with this plant causes dermatitis and respiratory malfunction in humans, dermatitis in cattle and domestic animals, due to the presence of toxin parthenin.Control
Parthenium has also been found to be resistant to glyphosate, the popular systemic herbicide prohibiting its control.Paraquat (Gramxone) solution (2 L in 600 L water) can be applied on plants growing on roads and bunds or vacant land. In crops it can be applied by rubbing it on plants by hand (solution soaked in some cotton cloth). If the populating in cultivated field is less it should be removed manually. Otherwise will spread very fast and the population will reach beyond control. The herbicide application should be done when weeds are quite young.