Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants, Chenopodiaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Chenopodium ambrosioides L.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: alapasotes, apasotes

Chinese: tu jing jie

English: American wormseed, Indian goosefoot, Jerusalem-tea, Mexican tea, Spanish-tea, bluebush, wormseed

Fijian: wai ni ukuwomu

French: ambroisie du Mexique, botrice, chenopode ambroisine, herbe à puces

Japanese: ke-aritaso

Korean: naemsaemyeongaju

Spanish: apazote, aposote, epazote, hierba hormiguera, huacatay, paico, pazote, pichan, pichen

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Annual aromatic herb, to 50 cm tall; leaves oblong-lanceolate, short-petiolate, to 9 cm long, somewhat repand-dentate distally; flowers in dense small spikes in axils; perianth 3-lobed, enclosing the fruit; seed glossy."  (Stone, 1970)"Malodorous annual or perennial herbs; stems erect or ascending, 3-10 (-15) dm long, unbranched or paniculately branched, glandular-dotted with yellow glands, sometimes also glandular villous.  Leaves variable and usually dimorphic, always with numerous small, linear, lanceolate to oblanceolate or spatulate leaves usually 0.5-2 cm long, 0.2-0.6 cm wide, margins entire or sometimes sinuate-dentate, often also with scattered large, well-developed, lanceolate to ovate leaves 2-12 cm wide, margins sinuate-dentate to pinnatifid, all leaves copiously glandular-dotted, occasionally glands absent, also puberulent to short-villous.  Flowers usually in dense, terminal or axillary glomerules grouped in slender, elongate spikes, these naked or leafy, sometimes paniculate, or sometimes flowers solitary, subtended by small bracts; calyx ca. 1 mm long, completely enclosing the fruit at maturity, the lobes not keeled, glandular-dotted or sometimes glabrous or short-villous.  Seed dark brown, horizontal or vertical, 0.6-0.8 (-1.2) mm in diameter, margins obtuse"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 537).

Description from the Flora of China online.
Description from the Flora of North America online.

Habitat/ecology:  "It is frequently found in disturbed sites, wastelands, along roadsides and ditches, and in annual and perennial crops.  Plants occur from sea level to 1200 m on the Pacific islands of Hawaii and grow in annual precipitation ranges of 31 to 430 cm, in mean annual temperatures of 6.9 to 27.4° C and in soils with a pH of 5.0 to 8.7" (Holm et al., 1997; p. 174).

In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in dry, usually disturbed sites in pastures, on open lava flows, or along roadsides at higher elevations, rarely in sandy sites near beaches, (30-) 600-2,450 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 537).  In Fiji, "occurring from near sea level to about 750 m elevation as a naturalized weed in waste places, gardens, etc." (Smith, 1981; pp. 295-296). In New Caledonia, "espèce rudérale largement répandue sans être abondante; cultivée jadis et parfois employée à présent comme plante médicinale et pour éloigner la vermine du poulailler" (MacKee, 1994; p. 29).  In Papua New Guinea, "a weed of open places, along village tracks and river banks, on sandy or rocky soils, at 0-2000 m altitude"  (Henty, 1981; p. 21).  "In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:  Low altitude, interior valleys; medium altitude up to the timber line.  Humid areas, with almost constant rainfall, short dry periods are possible (generally not longer than 1 month).  Fully exposed to the sun, level areas or slopes facing north"  (Chileflora).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 537).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 8) "A weed of waste places, native to tropical America but now widespread in weedy habitats". Vouchers cited: W.R. Sykes NI 577 (CHR), W.R. Sykes NI 638 (CHR), J.D. McComish 170 (NSW), J.D. McComish 170A (NSW)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island)	introduced invasive	Atkinson, Rachel/Sawyer, John (2011)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island)	introduced invasive	Danton, Philippe/Perrier, Christophe/Martinez Reyes, Guido (2006) (p. 552)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más Afuera (Alejandro Selkirk Island)	introduced	Skottsberg, Carl (1953) (p. 217)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más Afuera (Alejandro Selkirk Island)	introduced invasive	Atkinson, Rachel/Sawyer, John (2011)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más Afuera (Alejandro Selkirk Island)	introduced invasive	Danton, Philippe/Perrier, Christophe/Martinez Reyes, Guido (2006) (p. 552)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 295-296) Vouchers cited: Tothill 667, H.B.R. Parham 498, DA 2918, DA 2919
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (p. 106)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 11082 (PAP) Cultivée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (p. 106)
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence & W.R. Sykes 11204 (PAP) Cultivée
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (pp. 265-266) Rare in cultivation.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 67) Rare in cult. per Stone, naturalized per Fosberg.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 537)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Staples, George W./Imada, Clyde T./Herbst, Derral R. (2002) (p. 7) Voucher cited: C. Corn et al. ESP-386 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 537)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 537)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 537)
Japan (offshore islands) Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Îles Loyauté (Loyalty Islands)	introduced invasive	Tassin, Jacques (2005)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Lifou	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 29) Vouchers cited: Schmid 999 (NOU), MacKee 28331
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Maré	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 29) Voucher cited: Schmid 2193 (NOU)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Tiga	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 29) Voucher cited MacKee 45860
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 89)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands	introduced invasive	Gargominy, Oliver/Bouchet, Philipe/Pascal, Michel/Jaffre, Tanguy/Tourneu, Jean-Christophe (1996) (p. 379) Rudérale, nombreuses localités
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	Tassin, Jacques (2005)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 29) Vouchers cited: Germain s.n. s.loc., Pennel 373, Cribs 796, MacKee 3596, Corbasson in MacKee 20257, MacKee 42521
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île des Pins (Isle of Pines)	introduced invasive	Tassin, Jacques (2005)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île des Pins (Isle of Pines)	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 29) Voucher cited: Baumann 13906
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	introduced invasive	Henty, E. E., ed. (1981) (p. 21)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 172)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 125) In the settled areas, cultivated and spontaneous; at medium and higher altitudes often very abundant.

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)	New South Wales	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 172)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 172)
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 172)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	El Salvador (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Honduras (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced invasive cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Often cultivated for medicine in N China. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang. Naturalized
China China	Hong Kong	introduced invasive	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 76)
Japan Japan	Japan	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 172)
Japan Japan	Japan	introduced	Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 182)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 524) "Open waste places, roadsides, especially recently disturbed areas, also in sandy coastal areas behind beaches near settlements".
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Chile (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Belov, Michail (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (pp. 81-82)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	introduced invasive	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Naturalized
United States (west coast) United States (west coast states)	USA (California)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 172)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 172)

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)
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Comments:  "Toxic when taken in quantity, and cases of human poisoning are recorded"  (Staples & Herbst, 2005; p. 234).

Control:  If you know of control methods for Dysphania ambrosioides, please let us know.