Senecio madagascariensis
(Asteraceae)
fireweed
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Senecio madagascariensis
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Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) is a daisy-like herb that grows upright and branched, up to 20 inches tall. Its yellow flowers each have 13 petals and look like small daisies about the size of a nickel which mature into white thistle balls. Since its introduction to Hawaii, Senecio madagascariensis has invaded thousands of acres of pastures. Fireweed displaces forage grasses and is toxic to livestock. Fireweed is a serious pasture weed in numerous locations outside of its Afro-Madagascan native ranges. Accidentally introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the early 1980s fireweed is now widely distributed on Hawaii and Maui where it is currently the target of a biological control programme. It appears that fireweed reached the archipelago secondarily from Australia and that Hawaiian populations most closely resemble native populations from eastern South Africa. It has large distribution ranges in highland areas in Kenya and Colombia and areas in Argentina, Hawaii and south-eastern Australia. Senecio madagascariensis is native to eastern South Africa, Madagascar.
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) overview from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC).
Description, impacts, images, and distribution in Hawaii of fireweed are from HISC's high-profile invasive pests site.
Senecio madagascariensis information from PIER
Information on Senecio madagascariensis as relevant to Pacific Islands is provided by the Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk project (PIER).
ITIS nomenclature info for Senecio madagascariensis
Nomenclatural information about Senecio madagascariensis is provided by ITIS.
Senecio madagascariensis information from the Smithsonian's Flora of the Hawaiian Islands
Information about Senecio madagascariensis--including nomenclature and synonymy, and status and distribution in Hawaii--is provided by the "Flora of the Hawaiian Islands" website of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Links from this page include descriptive information about the species, as well as worldwide distributional information and general information about the genus.
1-page info sheets
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) pest alert flyer
Fireweed "Weed of the Week" pest alert
Fireweed is the featured "Weed of the Week" on the radio program sponsored by Kauai Community Radio and the Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC). This pest alert is available on KISC's "Weed of the Week" site.
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) overview from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC).
Description, impacts, images, and distribution in Hawaii of fireweed are from HISC's high-profile invasive pests site.
Senecio madagascariensis (Asteraceae): species information from GCW
Information on Senecio madagascariensis as relevant to Pacific Islands is provided by the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).
Biological fix for invasive species: State wants larvae to take bite out of fireweed
The release of the Secusio extensa moth as a biocontrol for fireweed may be the only reasonable management option to control this pasture pest (Maui News, 6/15/2008).
Fireweed biocontrol - 2006 report
Two of three promising fireweed biocontrol agents perished in captivity, according to this report from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
State wants to use invasives to kill invasives
The proposal to control fireweed with an African moth is discussed in a Malama Kauai article (5/12/2008).
Introductions for biological control in Hawaii 1997-2001
The introduction of 16 insect and five fungal species to control six weeds and four insect pests in Hawaii from 1997-2001 is discussed in a paper by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (Proceedings Hawaiian Entomological Society, 2003).
Senecio madagascariensis information from CTAHR (Motooka et al.)
Information about Senecio madagascariensis from "Weeds of Hawaii's pastures and natural areas: an identification and management guide" (Motooka et al. 2003) is provided by the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR).
New herbicides in fireweed management (video)
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) herbicide trials on windy Waimea ranchland, Hawaii Island, using a modified spray system for high wind conditions, test various products. Results after 30 days are shown in a YouTube video posted by James Leary of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (9/28/2009).
Utilizing "Wet Blade" to control fireweed (video)
The "Wet Blade" chemical delivery system to control fireweed is evaluated using various herbicides under high wind conditions on Maui (YouTube video posted by James Leary of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, 11/24/2009).
Control of Madagascar ragwort (aka Madagascar fireweed, Senecio madagascariensis)
Cultural and chemical measures to control fireweed are discussed in a pest alert issued by the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Department of Agriculture (2004).
Herbicidal weed control methods
for pastures and natural areas of Hawaii
This comprehensive review of herbicide application methods includes calculations for formulations, and appendices listing herbicides registered for use in Hawaii and their toxicities (University of Hawaii, 2002).
Ranchers battling an invasive and poisonous weed will soon receive help
A caterpillar that is a natural enemy of fireweed was located in Madagascar and approval is being sought to have it released in Hawaii to control the fireweed infestation (KHON 2 news, video, 8/23/2010).
2006 Annual Report for Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Plant Pest Control Branch
New insect introductions and projects involving invasive species are reviewed in Appendix IV of the 2006 HDOA annual report.
Annual report for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for FY2008
The annual report for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2008 includes information on--among other things--new pest detections and identification, and projects of the branch's Biological Control and Chemical/Mechanical (CM) Sections.
Fireweed pretty, toxic
Fireweed's invasion of Maui's pastures is described in a Maui News editorial (4/2/2009).
Field release of Secusio extensa (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), for biological control of fireweed, Senecio madagascariensis Poiret (Asterales: Asteraceae), in Hawaii
The draft environmental assessment regarding biological control of fireweed was prepared by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (January 2008).
State wants to use invasives to kill invasives
The proposal to control fireweed with an African moth is discussed in a Malama Kauai article (5/12/2008).
Introductions for biological control in Hawaii 1997-2001
Culliney, Thomas W., Walter T. Nagamine, and Kenneth K. Teramoto. 2003. Introductions for biological control in Hawaii 1997-2001. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. (2003) 36:145-153.
Evaluation of Puccinia lagenophorae as a biocontrol agent for Senecio madagascariensis in Hawaii
Rust agent Puccinia lagenophorae infects fireweed, but also native Hawaiian members of Asteraceae (abstract, Phytopathology, 2001).
Senecio madagascariensis as a biocontrol target in Hawaii
Information and references regarding Senecio madagascariensis as a biocontrol target in Hawaii--including the status of each of its biocontrol agents--are provided by the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).
New herbicides in fireweed management (video)
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) herbicide trials on windy Waimea ranchland, Hawaii Island, using a modified spray system for high wind conditions, test various products. Results after 30 days are shown in a YouTube video posted by James Leary of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (9/28/2009).
Utilizing "Wet Blade" to control fireweed (video)
The "Wet Blade" chemical delivery system to control fireweed is evaluated using various herbicides under high wind conditions on Maui (YouTube video posted by James Leary of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, 11/24/2009).
1-page info sheets
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) pest alert flyer
Images of Senecio madagascariensis (Asteraceae) (fireweed)
Links to high-resolution free images of Senecio madagascariensis (Asteraceae) (fireweed) by Forest & Kim Starr (USGS) are available here.
Senecio madagascariensis information from the Smithsonian Flora of the Hawaiian Islands
Information about Senecio madagascariensis in Hawaii is available from the Smithsonian Flora of the Hawaiian Islands.
Senecio madagascariensis images from PIER
Images of Senecio madagascariensis provided by the Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk project (PIER).
Senecio madagascariensis information from the Smithsonian's Flora of the Hawaiian Islands
Information about Senecio madagascariensis--including nomenclature and synonymy, and status and distribution in Hawaii--is provided by the "Flora of the Hawaiian Islands" website of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Links from this page include descriptive information about the species, as well as worldwide distributional information and general information about the genus.
Fireweed - 2006 report
Fireweed infestations on the Islands of Kauai and Oahu are contained, according to this 2006 report from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) overview from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC).
Description, impacts, images, and distribution in Hawaii of fireweed are from HISC's high-profile invasive pests site.
New plant records from East Maui for 1998
Eleven new species are reported for East Maui.
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) found on Molokai
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) has apparently been found on the Hawaiian Island of Molokai (February 2010). Rapid response is encouraged to try to prevent this pest species from becoming well-estabished.
Ranchers battling an invasive and poisonous weed will soon receive help
A caterpillar that is a natural enemy of fireweed was located in Madagascar and approval is being sought to have it released in Hawaii to control the fireweed infestation (KHON 2 news, video, 8/23/2010).
Fireweed pretty, toxic
Fireweed's invasion of Maui's pastures is described in a Maui News editorial (4/2/2009).
Fireweed pretty, toxic
Cooperation and vigilence are needed to combat fireweed on Maui, according to the editorial from the publisher of the Maui News (Maui News, 4/2/2009).
Biological fix for invasive species: State wants larvae to take bite out of fireweed
The release of the Secusio extensa moth as a biocontrol for fireweed may be the only reasonable management option to control this pasture pest (Maui News, 6/15/2008).
Biological fix for invasive species: State wants larvae to take bite out of fireweed
The potential for controlling fireweed in Hawaii by introducing the Secusio extensa moth is discussed in a Maui News article (6/15/2008).
Bugs readied for eco-battle
The erythrina gall wasp, nettle caterpillar, and Madagascar fireweed are Hawaii pests that may be combatted by biocontrol agents if Hawaii receives federal approval for their release (Honolulu Advertiser, 5/11/2008).
Weeds of Hawaii's Pastures and Natural Areas: An Identification and Management Guide
Motooka, Philip, Luisa Castro, Duane Nelson, Guy Nagai, and Lincoln Ching. 2003. Weeds of Hawaii's Pastures and Natural Areas: An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (University of Hawaii--Manoa), Honolulu. 184 pp. color illus. ISBN: 1-929325-14-2.
Maui Offshore Islet Botanical Survey
Starr, F., K. Starr, and Wood K. 2006. Maui Offshore Islet Botanical Survey. Report prepared for State Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Offshore Islet Restoration Committee, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Introductions for biological control in Hawaii 1997-2001
Culliney, Thomas W., Walter T. Nagamine, and Kenneth K. Teramoto. 2003. Introductions for biological control in Hawaii 1997-2001. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. (2003) 36:145-153.
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