Helianthus argophyllus Torr. & A. Gray, Asteraceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Accept, score: 3 (Go to the risk assessment).

Common name(s): [more details]

English: silverleaf sunflower

Tongan: siola‘ā

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Coarse annual herb 1.5-2 m high...; stems densely white-tomentose to -floccose; leaf blades ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 15-25 cm long and nearly as broad, densely white-lanate-sericeous with long silky hairs; ray flowers 15 or more, 2.5-3.5 cm long, yellow to orange-yellow; disk flowers usually deep purple; achenes 4-6 mm long" (Smith, 1991; pp. 278-279).

Habitat/ecology:  "Well-drained soils in sunny places are preferred" (Whistler, 2000; p. 242).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  North America (Smith, 1991; pp. 278-279).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 278-279) Voucher cited: DA 12354
Japan (offshore islands) Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands	introduced invasive	Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 92)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized
Japan Japan	Japan	introduced	Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 190)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	United States (other states)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) North Carolina, Texas
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Helianthus argophyllus, please let us know.