Sphagneticola trilobata
Common Name: wedelia
Family: Asteraceae
Common Synonyms: Wedelia triloba, Complaya trilobata, Silphium trilobatum
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a-11
Growth Habit: Forb/Herb
Origin: Mexico, Central and South America
FISC Category: 2
FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No
Introduction Date: pre-1933
IFAS Assessment:
- North: INVASIVE
- Central: INVASIVE
- South: INVASIVE
Description
Creeping, mat forming perennial herb. Stems pubescent, somewhat succulent, to 2 m tall. Leaves are fleshy, opposite, 5 to 10 cm long and 2.5 to 12.5 cm wide, with irregularly toothed margins, sessile or with small, winged petioles. Solitary flowers are 2.5-4 cm across and yellow-orange. Spreads rhizomatously, with new plants forming at nodes that root at the soil surface.
Habitat
Moist, disturbed sites.
Comments
Well suited to hot, dry conditions, but also persists in wetlands and open water. Flowers year round.
Control Methods
- Manual: Mechanical: Mowing should be avoided, which can promote plant establishment. Hand pull small plants. Be sure to remove all roots and rhizomes during pulling. Sites will need to be revisited.
- Chemical: Small patches can be treated with 2% glyphosate, larger populations require 5%. Triclopyr 1-2% is also effective.
- Biological: NA
Control Notes
NA
References
IFAS, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. 2018. Sphagneticola trilobata. http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/ Sphagneticola-trilobata/. Accessed on June 11, 2018.
Langeland, K.A., H.M. Cherry, C.M. McCormick, K.C. Burks. 2008. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas-Second Edition. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville.
IFAS, UF. 2015. Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Sphagneticola trilobata. https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/Sphagneticola-trilobata/ Accessed June 11, 2018.
Invasive and Non-native Plants You Should Know Recognition Cards, by A. Richard and V. Ramey. University of Florida-IFAS Publication # SP 431. 2007