Japanese name: ヒマワリヒヨドリ Scientific name:Chromolaena odorata
[Overview]
A fast-growing perennial or evergreen low shrub, reaching 3–7 m in height.
It has sturdy rhizomes that spread horizontally.
The stem is erect and branching; it is soft while young, but the base becomes woody.
It often grows by leaning on other plants in a vine-like manner.
Leaves are simple and opposite, triangular to ovate, 4–10 cm long and 1–5 cm wide, resembling sunflower leaves, with pointed tips, three conspicuous veins at the base, and a somewhat thick texture.
The leaf margins have teeth.
The leaves have glandular dots and give off a strong fragrance when rubbed.
The young leaves of seedlings are reddish.
At the tips of stems and branches it bears many white to pale reddish-purple flower heads about 1 cm across in corymbs.
The flower heads consist only of tubular florets, with the styles protruding from the flower.
The involucre is cylindrical, about 1 cm long and 0.5 cm across, and the involucral bracts are 3–4-lobed.
The fruit is an achene with a pappus.
[History]
It was confirmed on Ishigaki Island in 1980.
It reproduces vigorously and can also regenerate from rhizomes.
