Erechtites valerianifolius: info from PIER (PIER species info)

Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

[ PIER species lists ] [ PIER home ]

Erechtites valerianifolius
(Link ex Spreng.) DC., Asteraceae

Click on an image for links to BIGGER PICTURES

Present on Pacific Islands? yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations? no

Other Latin names: Senecio valerianifolius Link ex Spreng.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: bai jiang ye ju qin

English: Brazilian fireweed, Ceylon thistle, fireweed, fireweed daisy

Fijian: co vuka, thovuka

Kwara‘ae: asaka mockta‘a

Samoan: fua lele, pua lele, vao lele

Tongan: fisi puna

Habit: herb

Description: "Herbs, annual. Stems erect, 50-100 cm tall, simple or branched in upper part, striate, subglabrous. Leaves long petiolate; petiole narrowly winged; blade oblong to elliptic, both surfaces glabrous, pinnately veined, base cuneate, margin irregularly double serrate or pinnatipartite; lobes 12-16, lanceolate, acuminate, serrate to irregularly lobed, or rarely shallowly lobed, apex acute or acuminate; upper leaves similar to median leaves but smaller. Capitula numerous, erect or pendulous, in terminal and upper axillary dense corymbose panicles, ca. 10 x 3 mm, with linear bracteoles. Involucres cylindric-campanulate; phyllaries uniseriate, 12-14 (-16), linear, 7-8 x 0.5-0.75 mm, glabrous or sparsely puberulent, 4- or 5-veined, apically acute or acuminate. Florets numerous, yellowish purplish; outer florets uni- or biseriate, corolla filiform, apically 5-denticulate; central florets minutely tubular-funnelform, 7-8 mm, rather longer and broader than outer ones, 5-denticulate, apically glandular thickened. Style branches with conical appendages. Achenes cylindric, 2.5-3.5 mm, glabrous or puberulent, 10-12-ribbed. Pappus reddish, as long as florets" (Flora of China online).

"Annual herbs 0.5-2.5 m tall, glabrous or pubescent, the hairs spreading. Leaves lanceolate to narrowly oblate, 4-25 cm long, 2-10 cm wide, usually deeply pinnately lobed, margins coarsely dentate or serrate, occasionally merely coarsely dentate or serrate, usually petiolate, petioles 0-8.5 cm long, sometimes winged. Heads erect; involucral bracts 12-14 (-16), 7-8 mm long; corollas yellowish to pale purple; pappus pink to pale purple" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 314).

Habitat/ecology: In Hawai‘i, "a rather weedy species generally in relatively wet, disturbed areas, 0-1,400 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 314). In Fiji, "found from near sea level to the highest elevation in Fiji (1,323 m) as an often locally frequent naturalized weed in clearings, dense forest often along streams, and thickets on crests and ridges, and along roadsides" (Smith, 1991; pp. 315-316). "Occasional to common in open, disturbed places, often in montane taro crops" (Whistler, 1988; p. 11). In New Guinea, "a weed of roadsides and cultivation, rarely troublesome in pasture; also in landslips and other naturally-disturbed habitats. From altitudes of about 100 to 2000 m" (Henty & Pritchard, 1975; p. 72). In Tonga, "a plantation and waste-area weed" (Yuncker, 1959; p. 269).

Propagation: Seed

Native range: Mexico to Brazil and Argentina (Wagner et al.. 1999; p. 314). Widespread in Central and South America and the West Indies (Smith, 1991; pp. 315-316).

Presence:

Pacific

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

American Samoa
Manu‘a Islands Ta‘u Island Whistler, W. A. (1990)
Vouchers cited: Harris 197, Yuncker 9027

American Samoa
Manu‘a Islands Ta‘u Island Yuncker, T. G. (1945) (p. 68)
Vouchers cited: Yuncker 9029 (BISH), W. Harris 197 (BISH)

American Samoa
Tutuila Islands Tutuila Island introduced
invasive
Setchell, William Albert (1924) (p. 41)

Australia (Pacific offshore islands)
Norfolk Islands Norfolk Island introduced
invasive
Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 8)
"An uncommon adventive in moist disturbed sites, such as forest clearings. Apparently not so aggressive an invader on the Island as in Australia (N.S.W.) and New Zealand". Vouchers cited: W.R. Sykes NI 189 (CHR), G .Uhe 1187 (K), W.R.Sykes NI 476 (CHR)

Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands Mangaia Island McCormack, Gerald (2013)

Fiji
Fiji Islands Ovalau Island introduced
invasive
Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 315-316)
Voucher cited: DA 1357

Fiji
Fiji Islands Vanua Levu Island introduced
invasive
Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 315-316)
Vouchers cited: DA 8798, DA 11487, Smith 333

Fiji
Fiji Islands Viti Levu Island introduced
invasive
Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 315-316)
Vouchers cited: Greenwood 180A, Greenwood 180, Smith 4194, Gibbs 811, DA 7097, DA 14620, DA 3817, Smith 8670, Greenwood 180B, DA 11502, DA 11047, DA 10980, Gillespie 3542, Valentine 23, DA 10609

French Polynesia
Marquesas Islands Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island introduced
invasive
Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)

French Polynesia
Society Islands Moorea Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
Adventice

French Polynesia
Society Islands Tahiti Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
Adventice

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Hawai‘i (Big) Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Kaho‘olawe Island introduced
invasive
Staples, George W./Imada, Clyde T./Herbst, Derral R. (2003) (p. 8)
Voucher cited: L.W. Cuddihy & W.P. Char ESP 358 (BISH)
Only plant seen.

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Kaua‘i Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)
Voucher cited: Forbes 534.L (BISH)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Lāna‘i Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)
Voucher cited: Forbes 534.L (BISH)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Maui Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Moloka‘i Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands O‘ahu Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)

Japan (offshore islands)
Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands introduced
invasive
Toyoda, Takeshi (2003) (p. 290)
Naturalized

Japan (offshore islands)
Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands introduced
Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)

Papua New Guinea
Bougainville Islands Bougainville Island Foreman, D. B. (1971) (p. 37)

Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island) Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island) introduced
invasive
Henty, E. E./Pritchard, G. H. (1975) (p. 73)
Widespread, from altitudes of about 100 to 2000 m.

Philippines
Philippine Islands Philippine Islands introduced
invasive
Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 617)
In old clearings, etc., at low and medium altitudes, often abundant.

Samoa
Western Samoa Islands Western Samoa Islands Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 11)

Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands introduced
invasive
Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 72)

Tonga
Ha‘apai Group Tofua Island Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 8)
Voucher cited: Scarth-Johnson 90, Scarth-Johnson 94

Tonga
Tonga Islands Tonga Islands introduced
invasive
Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 269)
"Throughout Tonga".

Tonga
Tongatapu Group ‘Eua Island introduced
invasive
Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 269)
Voucher cited: Yuncker 15425

Tonga
Tongatapu Group Tongatapu Island Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 8)
Voucher cited: Lawrence 228

Tonga
Tongatapu Group Tongatapu Island introduced
invasive
Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 269)
Voucher cited: Yuncker 15153

Tonga
Vava‘u Group Late Island introduced
Sykes, W. R. (1981) (p. 349)

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
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Naturalized

Australia
Australia (continental) Queensland introduced
invasive
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Naturalized

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) Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 146)

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
Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013)
Roadsides, field margins; ca. 1700 m. Guangdong, Hainan.

China
China Hong Kong introduced
invasive
Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 281)
On margin of forests or in wasteland.

Indonesia
Indonesia Indonesia (Republic of) Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (p. 65)

Japan
Japan Japan introduced
Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 190)

Japan
Ryukyu Islands Ryukyu Islands introduced
invasive
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Naturalized

Malaysia
Malaysia Malaysia (country of) introduced
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

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. 262)
"Scrubland, grassland, waste places, forest margins, gardens".

Singapore
Singapore Singapore (Republic of) introduced
invasive
Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 39)
Naturalised

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) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

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
Ching-I Peng, ed. (2013)
"Fields and roadsides, up to 1,700 m".

Thailand
Thailand Thailand (Kingdom of) Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (p. 65)

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)

Control: If you know of control methods for Erechtites valerianifolius, please let us know.

Need more info? Have questions? Comments? Information to contribute? Contact PIER! (pier@hear.org)

[ PIER species lists ] [ PIER home ]

This page was created on 4 AUG 2002 and was last updated on 25 APR 2013.

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ta‘u Island		Whistler, W. A. (1990) Vouchers cited: Harris 197, Yuncker 9027
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ta‘u Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1945) (p. 68) Vouchers cited: Yuncker 9029 (BISH), W. Harris 197 (BISH)
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island	introduced invasive	Setchell, William Albert (1924) (p. 41)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 8) "An uncommon adventive in moist disturbed sites, such as forest clearings. Apparently not so aggressive an invader on the Island as in Australia (N.S.W.) and New Zealand". Vouchers cited: W.R. Sykes NI 189 (CHR), G .Uhe 1187 (K), W.R.Sykes NI 476 (CHR)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ovalau Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 315-316) Voucher cited: DA 1357
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 315-316) Vouchers cited: DA 8798, DA 11487, Smith 333
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 315-316) Vouchers cited: Greenwood 180A, Greenwood 180, Smith 4194, Gibbs 811, DA 7097, DA 14620, DA 3817, Smith 8670, Greenwood 180B, DA 11502, DA 11047, DA 10980, Gillespie 3542, Valentine 23, DA 10609
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Adventice
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Adventice
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaho‘olawe Island	introduced invasive	Staples, George W./Imada, Clyde T./Herbst, Derral R. (2003) (p. 8) Voucher cited: L.W. Cuddihy & W.P. Char ESP 358 (BISH) Only plant seen.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314) Voucher cited: Forbes 534.L (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314) Voucher cited: Forbes 534.L (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 314)
Japan (offshore islands) Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced invasive	Toyoda, Takeshi (2003) (p. 290) Naturalized
Japan (offshore islands) Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Papua New Guinea Bougainville Islands	Bougainville Island		Foreman, D. B. (1971) (p. 37)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	introduced invasive	Henty, E. E./Pritchard, G. H. (1975) (p. 73) Widespread, from altitudes of about 100 to 2000 m.
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced invasive	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 617) In old clearings, etc., at low and medium altitudes, often abundant.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Western Samoa Islands		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 11)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced invasive	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 72)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Tofua Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 8) Voucher cited: Scarth-Johnson 90, Scarth-Johnson 94
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 269) "Throughout Tonga".
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 269) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15425
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 8) Voucher cited: Lawrence 228
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 269) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15153
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Late Island	introduced	Sykes, W. R. (1981) (p. 349)

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	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized
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)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 146)
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	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Roadsides, field margins; ca. 1700 m. Guangdong, Hainan.
China China	Hong Kong	introduced invasive	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 281) On margin of forests or in wasteland.
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)		Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (p. 65)
Japan Japan	Japan	introduced	Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 190)
Japan Ryukyu Islands	Ryukyu Islands	introduced invasive	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
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. 262) "Scrubland, grassland, waste places, forest margins, gardens".
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 39) Naturalised
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)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
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	Ching-I Peng, ed. (2013) "Fields and roadsides, up to 1,700 m".
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)		Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (p. 65)

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)