Family: Asteraceae

An invasive shrub that was once cultivated as an ornamental. E. M. Ehrhorn, an entomologist, introduced the tree daisy to Hawai’i in 1919. Native to South America, Central America, and Mexico, the tree daisy thrives in tropical climates. It readily forms monospecific stands that exclude other species from germinating. Prolific seed production and shade tolerance are some of the reasons the tree daisy is on the State of Hawaii Noxious Weed list. 

Description and Dispersal:

• Branched shrub reaching heights of 20 feet
  
• Opposite leaves are palmately compound, 5 to 7 deep lobes
  
• Hairy leaves are darker on top, pale underneath
  
• Numerous terminally branched flowers are 1 inch in diameter
  
• Flower petals are white, disks yellow
  
• Seeds are an achene, enclosed in a papery disk
  
• Seeds are dispersed externally on animals and are wind-dispersed