Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq., Malvaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: dadangsi, masiksik lahe

Chinese: fei dao ci shuo ma

English: Sacramento bur, Sacromento burbark, black bush, burweed, triumfetta

French: cousin-petit, mahot-cousinrouge, petit mahot-cousin, tête à nègre

Spanish: cadillo de perro, pegadillo

Habit:  shrub

Description:  "Perennial herbs or subshrubs to ca 5-20 dm tall; stems erect, younger ones densely stellate pubescent, glabrate with age.  Leaves variable in shape, usually broadly ovate to lanceolate, 4-20 cm long, 3.5-8 cm wide, usually slightly 3-lobed, 3-nerved from base, stellate pubescent, more densely so on lower surface, margins irregularly serrate-dentate, apex acuminate, base very broadly cuneate to truncate, rarely subcordate, petioles 1.5-6 cm long.  Sepals linear, 4-7 mm long, apex with a filiform subapical appendage; petals yellow, narrowly oblanceolate, 3.5-6.5 mm long; stamens 15-20.  Capsules globose, indehiscent, 4-5 mm in diameter, puberulent, glabrate with age, covered with retrorsely setose, hooked bristles"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1294).

"An erect shrub to 1.5 m tall; leaves ovate-oblong, 3-lobed; serrate; flowers small yellow axillary clustered; fruits with scattered reflexed hairs on the hooked spines"  (Stone, 1970; p. 406).

Similar to T. rhomboidea except with longer, hairy spines (Whistler, 1983; p. 69).

Habitat/ecology:  "Burweed grows in pinelands and hammocks in Florida (Long and Lakela 1976) and in roadsides, neglected pastures, and wastelands in Puerto Rico. It grows in sand to clay soils with pH values from about 5.5 to 8.0. In Puerto Rico, burweed grows from near sea level to about 700 m in elevation. This diverse habitat receives annual precipitation from about 900 to 2200 mm. In Hawaii, it grows from sea level to 1,067 m in elevation in areas with annual rainfalls of 760 to 1500 mm (Haselwood and Motter 1966). The species needs disturbance for establishment. If given an equal start, it competes well with other herbs, grasses, and shrubs in full sun or partial shade. Burweed may be found growing in small patches and as single, dispersed plants"  (Wildland shrubs of the United States and its territories).  "Prevents the establishment of native species in disturbed forest sites.  Burs a nuisance to man and beast in pastures and forests"  (Motooka et al., 2003).

In Hawai‘i, "naturalized and often common in dry, disturbed sites, 30-860 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1294). Arid lowlands and moist uplands in the Galápagos Islands (McMullen, 1999; p. 131).

Propagation:  Burs that stick to clothing and fur.

Native range:  Tropical America, but now a pan-tropical weed.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Chile (offshore islands) Rapa Nui (Easter) Island	Rapa Nui (Easter) Island (Isla de Pasqua)	native	Francis, John K., ed. (2009) "It was thought that burweed had been recently introduced to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), but fossil pollen indicates that it has been present for at least 35,000 years" (National Geographic Society 2001, cited in Francis, 2009).
Chile (offshore islands) Rapa Nui (Easter) Island	Rapa Nui (Easter) Island (Isla de Pasqua)	probably introduced abo. intro.	Skottsberg, Carl (1953) (p. 78)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 159)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 32) Vouchers cited: Fosberg 31419 (US, BISH, Fo), Falanruw 2190 (US), Falanruw 1879 (US)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 659383) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1950) (voucher ID: PTBG 23921) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Alamagan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 159)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Alamagan Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 32) Vouchers cited: Fosberg 31726 (US), Falanruw 1894 (US), Fosberg 31700 (US)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Alamagan Island	introduced	Ohba, T. (1994) (p. 59) Vouchers cited: CBM-BS-58874, CBM-BS-59208
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Alamagan Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 659382) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Pagan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 159)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Pagan Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 32) Voucher cited: Anderson 609 (US, BISH, Fo)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 159)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 159)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 159)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 659384) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Fernandina Group	Fernandina Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Alcedo, Isabela Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Cerro Azul, Isabela Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 159)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 110) Naturalized
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 406) Vouchers cited: Stone 3904 (GUAM), Stone 3920 (GUAM)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 159)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1918) (voucher ID: BISH 184923) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1918) (voucher ID: BISH 184924) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (year unknown) (voucher ID: BISH 184925) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1954) (voucher ID: BISH 659381) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 1293-1294)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 1293-1294)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 1293-1294) Voucher cited: Forbes s. n. (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wysong, Michael/Hughes, Guy/Wood, K. R. (2007) (p. 7) Voucher cited: Hughes 1137 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 1293-1294)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 159)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1909) (voucher ID: BISH 184958) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 370)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands		Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 31) In dry thickets at low and medium altitudes.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 28645) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 63) Voucher: Flynn 6908 (PTBG, US)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2001) (voucher ID: PTBG 230) Taxon name on voucher: Triumfetta semitriloba

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)	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) Fields, wastelands.

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)	USA (Florida)	native	Francis, John K., ed. (2009)

Comments:  On State of Hawai‘i noxious species list.

Control: 

Physical:  "Burs stick to clothing and fur, so sanitation measures and control before Sacramento bur sets seed are critical to prevent its spread"  (Motooka et al., 2003).

Chemical: "Sensitive to foliar drizzle applications of triclopyr and of glyphosate.  On Koai‘e trail, Waimea Canyon, Kaua‘i, initially suppressed by application of mixture of triclopyr and glyphosate, each at 1 lb/acre; subsequently emerging seedlings by half that rate"  (Motooka et al., 2003).