Sigesbeckia orientalis L., Asteraceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

English: Indian weed, nightshade, sigesbeckia, small yellow crown-beard, yellow crown-head

Fijian: senikata

Maori (Cook Islands): kamika

Samoan: ‘a‘ami‘a

Tahitian: ‘ami‘a, ‘ami‘a, amia, amiami

Tongan: kakamika

Wallisian: kakamika

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Many-branched annual herbs; stems 5-12 dm long.  Leaves deltate to elliptic-lanceolate, 2-20 cm long, 0.6-9 cm wide, petioles 0.5-6 cm long, winged.  Involucral bracts 5, glandular pubescent, especially toward the tip.  Achenes 3-4 mm long" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 357).

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in disturbed areas, 0-1,220 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 357).  In Fiji, "occurring from near sea level to about 900 m in dry areas, clearings, waste places, and gardens, along roadsides, and on open hillsides, often in some local abundance" (Smith, 1991; p. 269). In New Guinea, "a weed of cultivation and heavily-grazed pastures. Between 1200 and 2500 m." (Henty & Pritchard, 1975; p. 78). In Tonga, "a plantation and waste-area weed" (Yuncker, 1959; p. 267). In New Caledonia, "très répandu en clairières et lieux incultes mais rarement abondant" (MacKee, 1994; p. 37).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Old World. In most Pacific areas it gives every appearance of being an adventive, although it may have been an inadvertent aboriginal introduction (Smith, 1991; p. 269). "An aboriginal introduction, now becoming rare throughout Polynesia." (Whistler, 1988; p. 11)

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) Voucher cited: Garber 604
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 8) "A weed of disturbed ground". Voucher cited: P.S. Green 1889 (K)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Lakemba Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 269-270) Voucher cited: Seemann 263
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 269-270) Vouchers cited: DA 10338, DA 10339, Greenwood 231, DA 8566, DA 9627, DA 9703, DA 11368, DA 10422, Gillespie 4177, DA 9506, DA 11180, DA 9656, DA 9878, DA 11074, DA 12231, Milne 414
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Eiao Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Marquesas Islands	introduced invasive	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 79)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Tahuata (Tuhuata) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 18)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Mehetia (Mahetia, Meetia) Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 18)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 18)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 79)
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Tubuai (Austral) Islands	introduced invasive	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 79)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 357)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaho‘olawe Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 357)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 357)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank (2007) (p. 20) Vouchers cited: Oppenheimer & J. Penniman H50613 (BISH, PTBG), Oppenheimer H120645 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 357)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 357)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Ni‘ihau Island	introduced invasive	Wood, K. R. (2007) (p. 14) Voucher cited: K.R. Wood 11864 (BISH, PTBG, US)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 357)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987) (p. 32)
New Caledonia Hunter Island	Île Hunter	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 37) Voucher cited: Monzier in Veillon 6944 (NOU)
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	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 37) Vouchers cited: Deplanche 802, MacKee 27190
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Îles Ouvéa (Ouvea Atoll)	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 37) Voucher cited: Däniker 2035a
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Tiga	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 37) Voucher cited: MacKee 45922
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands	introduced	Gargominy, Oliver/Bouchet, Philipe/Pascal, Michel/Jaffre, Tanguy/Tourneu, Jean-Christophe (1996) (p. 379) Très répandue en clairières et lieux incultes mais rarement abondante. Peut-être d'introduction ancienne.
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	Tassin, Jacques (2005)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 37) Vouchers cited: Védel s.n., Vieillard 802, MacGillivray s.n., Balansa 8, Cribs 953, MacKee 12528, MacKee 34773
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	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 37) Voucher cited: MacKee 13054
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Kermadec Islands	introduced invasive	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 226) "Forest margins and clearings, coastal sites, riverbeds, pasture".
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Raoul Island	introduced	Sykes, W. R./West, C. J. (1996) (p. 459)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Raulerson, L./Rinehart, A. F./Falanruw, M. C. (1996)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)		Henty, E. E./Pritchard, G. H. (1975) (p. 78)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced	St. John, H. (1987) (p. 54) Voucher cited: Fosberg & R. Clark 11298
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Western Samoa Islands		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 11) Uncommon per Whistler.
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Ha‘apai Islands		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 9) Voucher cited: Soakai 528
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Tofua Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 9) Voucher cited: Scarth-Johnson 93
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 267) "Throughout Tonga".
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 9) Vouchers cited: Soakai 331, Soakai 912 (EI)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 267) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15429
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 9) Vouchers cited: Moseley s.n., Setchell & Parks 15613, Ilolahia 114, Soakai 175
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 267) Vouchers cited: Yuncker 15092, Yuncker 15258
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 9) Voucher cited: Harvey s.n.
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 267) Cited: Crosby.
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Burkill, I. H. (1900) (p. 43)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis and Futuna Islands		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 11)

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)	Australia (continental)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 337)
Chile (continental) Chile	Chile (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 337)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 337)
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive abo. intro.	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 226) "Forest margins and clearings, coastal sites, riverbeds, pasture".
Taiwan Taiwan	Taiwan Island		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 337)

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		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 337)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Agalega Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Stoddart, D. R. (1983) (p. 114)

Additional information:
Additional online information about Sigesbeckia orientalis is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Sigesbeckia orientalis as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Sigesbeckia orientalis may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Burkill, I. H. 1900. The flora of Vavau, one of the Tonga Islands, with a short account of its vegetation by Charles Steele Crosby. Lin. Jour. Bot. 35:20-65.

Fosberg, F. R. 1997. Preliminary checklist of the flowering plants and ferns of the Society Islands. Ed. by David R. Stoddart. U. Cal. Berkeley.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. 1987. Flora of the Gilbert Islands, Kiribati, checklist. Atoll Res. Bull. 295:1-33.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Stoddart, D. R. 1983. List of the recorded vascular flora of Agalega. In: Sachet, M. H., D. R. Stoddart, and F. R. Fosberg. Floristics and ecology of Western Indian Ocean islands. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 273. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 253 pp.

Gargominy, Oliver/Bouchet, Philipe/Pascal, Michel/Jaffre, Tanguy/Tourneu, Jean-Christophe. 1996. Conséquences des introductions d'espèces animales et végétales sur la biodiversité en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Rev. Ecol. (Terre Vie) 51:375-401.

Henty, E. E./Pritchard, G. H. 1975. Weeds of New Guinea and their control. 2nd edition. Department of Forests, Division of Botany, Botany Bull. No. 7. Lae, Papua New Guinea. 180 pp.

Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. 1979. A geographical atlas of world weeds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 391 pp.

Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. 2008. Flora of the Marquesas Islands. National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Smithsonian Institution. Online database.

MacKee, H. S. 1994. Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 164 p.

McCormack, Gerald. 2008. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2. Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga.

Oppenheimer, Hank. 2007. New plant records from Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i for 2006. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucias G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2006. Part 2: Notes. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 96:17-34.

Orchard, Anthony E., ed. 1994. Flora of Australia. Vol. 49, Oceanic islands 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Raulerson, L./Rinehart, A. F./Falanruw, M. C. 1996. A botanical reconnaissance of the proposed Compact-impact road alignment on Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau. U. of Guam Herbarium Cont. No. 32. 78 pp.

Smith, Albert C. 1991. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Volume 5. 626 pp.

St. John, H. 1987. An account of the flora of Pitcairn Island with new Pandanus species. Honolulu, 65 pp.

Swarbrick, John T. 1997. Weeds of the Pacific Islands. Technical paper no. 209. South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. 124 pp.

Sykes, W. R./West, C. J. 1996. New records and other information on the vascular flora of the Kermadec Islands. New Zealand Journal of Botany 34:447-462.

Tassin, Jacques. 2005. Jacques Tassin (IAC-CIRAD), personal communication.

Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. Bernice P. Bishop Museum special publication. University of Hawai‘i Press/Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1919 pp. (two volumes).

Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. 1988. Flora of New Zealand, Volume IV: Naturalised pteridophytes, gymnosperms, dicotyledons. Botany Division, DSIR, Christchurch. 1365 pp.

Welsh, S. L. 1998. Flora Societensis: A summary revision of the flowering plants of the Society Islands. E.P.S. Inc., Orem, Utah. 420 pp.

Whistler, W. A. 1984. Annotated list of Samoan plant names. Economic Botany 38:464.489.

Whistler, W. A. 1988. Checklist of the weed flora of western Polynesia. Technical Paper No. 194, South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. 69 pp.

Whistler, W. A. 1990. Ethnobotany of the Cook Islands: The plants, their Maori names, and their uses. Allertonia 5(4):347-424.

Whistler, W. A. 1990. The weeds of Manu‘a [unpublished checklist]. 18 pp.

Whistler, W. A. 1992. Flora of Tonga [unpublished checklist]. 107 pp.

Wood, K. R. 2007. New plant records, rediscoveries, range extensions, and possible extinctions within the Hawaiian Islands. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucias G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2006. Part 2: Notes. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 96:13-17.

Yuncker, T. G. 1959. Plants of Tonga. Bishop Museum Bull. 220. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 343 pp.