Melampodium divaricatum (Rich.) DC., Asteraceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Dysodium divaricatum Rich.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: blackfoot, golden button

Spanish: botón de oro, flor amarilla, hierba del chucho, hierba del sapo

Habit:  herb

Description:  "The root is a taproot and the stem is upright, somewhat woody, branched and cylindrical and reaches heights of 50 to 80 centimeters.  The leaves are opposite, 6 to 10 centimeters long and 3 to 5 centimeters wide and have irregular margins.  The flower head is bright yellow and is born on peduncles 2 to 3 centimeters long which arise from the leaf axils"  (Cardenas et al., 1972; p. 133).

Habitat/ecology:  "Annual broadleaf plant found in pastures, cultivated and perennial crops, roadsides and ditchbanks"  (Cardenas et al., 1972; p. 133).

Propagation:  Seed (Cardenas et al., 1972; p. 133).

Native range:  Mexico, Central America, northwestern Colombia, Brazil; also naturalized (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 5) Planted as an ornamental on the national capitol grounds. Voucher: Lorence 9846 (PTBG, BNM, NY)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2008) (voucher ID: PTBG 139) Taxon name on voucher: Melampodium divaricatum (Rich.) DC.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
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)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Northwest Colombia

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

Comments:  "Naturalized in the West Indies and Myanmar" (GRIN).

Control:  If you know of control methods for Melampodium divaricatum, please let us know.