Family: Asteraceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability. Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Widely naturalized
- Disturbance-adapted
- Agricultural weed
- Environmental weed
- Other Verbesina species have become invasive
- Toxic to livestock
- Host of crop pathogens
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms dense stands that can exclude other vegetation
- Reproduces by seed
- Self-compatible
- Able to reach maturity in <1 year (annual)
- Seeds dispersed by wind, and by attachment to animals, clothing and as a soil or seed contaminant
- Seed bank may persist beyond 1 year
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Grows in full sun (Shade-intolerant)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Herbicides may provide effective control
- Burning and mechanical control may also be effective