Family: Asteraceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability and elevation range
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Unconfirmed reports of naturalization in SE USA
- Described as a weedy plant of vacant lots and disturbed sites
- Medicinal uses, with potential toxic properties
- Reproduces by seeds
- Self-compatible but protogynous
- Seeds dispersed by wind and through intentional cultivation
- Resprouts after cutting and grazing
- Gaps in biological and ecological information may reduce accuracy or risk prediction
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Palatable, and readily browsed, by cattle and goats
- Thrives in high light environments (dense shade may limit ability to spread)
- Seed set and viability of seeds reported to be low in cultivation
- Limited seed production and reduced seed viability may lower risk of long distance or accidental dispersal