Family: Asteraceae

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands) and widely naturalized elsewhere
  
• A disturbance-adapted weed of crops, pastures, gardens, roadsides, footpaths, parks, lawns, disturbed sites and waste areas
  
• Other Emilia species are invasive weeds
  
• Host for crop pests and pathogens
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by numerous wind-dispersed seeds
  
• Hybridizes with other Emilia species
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Annual weed, reaching maturity in <1 year or growing season
  
• In addition to wind, seeds dispersed by machinery, water, vehicles, animals, and in clothing and contaminated agricultural produce
  
• Prolific seed production

Low Risk Traits:

• Although a widespread weed, impacts in agriculture and the natural environment generally minimal or insignificant
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to livestock and grazing animals
  
• Tolerates light shade, but generally found in full sun (unlikely to invade intact forest)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides can provide effective control