Star burr
Acanthospermum hispidum, Fam. Asteraceae
Upright annual herb 45-90cm, covered with coarse hairs, stems repeatedly forked.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Herb |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Unknown Opposite, yellowish-green, 25-50mm long, elliptic or ovate, hairy on both surfaces, either stalkless or with a winged stalk-like base up to 10mm long, toothed margins. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Green |
| Flower description: | Solitary green heads, 4-5mm wide, borne in leaf axils and forks of stem. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown, Green |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Heads of 5-10 wedge-shaped ‘seeds’ radiating from centre forming a star-like burr. Green turning brown on maturity. Mature ‘seeds’ 6mm long, covered with short, hooked spines and with two stouter divergent spines, 3-4mm long, at the tip. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | Toxic or irritant to domestic pets |
| Origin: | America |
| Notes: | Prickly ‘seeds’ adhere to ‘everything’, probably also water borne. Invades disturbed land and alluvial flats, will out-grow young cane. Occasionally seen on coastal dunes in this district. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
