Eswatini's Alien Plants Database

Swaziland's Alien Plants Database

Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob.

ASTERACEAE

Siam weed, paraffienbos, chromolaena, triffid weed, coacihuizpatli, Christmas bush, Armstrong's weed, eupatorium, kingweed, paraffinbush, paraffinweed, turpentine weed, bitter bush

sandanezwe, wandile

Highly Invasive, Major problem species

Origin: Americas

Growth Form: Shrub

Plant Description: Plant: Scrambling, sparsely hairy shrub up to 4 m or higher; often forming dense thickets; stems with opposite, wide-spreading branches. Leaves: Light green, often yellowish, ovate to triangular, three-nerved from the base, glandular-dotted below; smell strongly of turpentine or paraffin when crushed. Flowers: White or pale blue (one flower) in terminal, cylindrical heads 10 mm long x 3 mm wide, surrounded by speckled bracts, June–July (–December). Fruit: Straw-coloured, bristly achenes ± 5 mm long.

Key Features:

Control: cut large plants and apply herbicides to stumps, and small plants can be pulled out by hand

Comments:

More information:
Weeds & Invasive Plants Home Page

Photo - leaves