Family: Asteraceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability
  
• Able to grow and spread in regions with tropical climates
  
• Widely naturalized (although no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date)
  
• A disturbance weed that can negatively impact agriculture
  
• Other species are invasive
  
• Allergenic to people, and toxic if consumed in large quantities
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense stands in disturbed habitats or overgrazed pastures
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Reaches maturity in 2 growing seasons
  
• Dispersed by wind, water and intentionally by people
  
• Prolific seed production
  
• Seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 4 years

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to some grazing animals (despite reports of possible toxicity)
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control
  
• Killed by fire