Helichrysum foetidum (L.) Cass., Asteraceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  yes

Other Latin names:  Gnaphalium foetidum L.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: stinking everlasting, stinking strawflower

French: immortelle du Cap, immortelle fétide

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Foetid biennial herbs 2-10 dm tall.  Leaves oblong to lanceolate, 3-7 cm long, upper surface green and sparsely pubescent, lower surface white woolly pubescent, lower ones gradually narrowed to petioles, upper ones with cordate bases clasping the stem.  Heads several in clusters at the ends of the stems, 15-20 mm in diameter; involucral bracts shiny, bright yellow; corollas yellow.  Achenes minutely tuberculate"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 323).

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in dry to subalpine vegetation and pastures, 750-2,300 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 323).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Africa, Yemen; naturalized elsewhere (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 323) Voucher cited: Degener 20235

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive	Lavergne, Christophe (2006) "Cultivé?/naturalisé"

Control:  If you know of control methods for Helichrysum foetidum, please let us know.