Parthenium hysterophorus L. (N-Am., Mexico) – An exceptional and ephemeral alien. First recorded (a single specimen) in 1999 in the vicinity of the Vamo Mills and Ghent Grain Terminal at the Rodenhuizedok in the port of Gent. In 2013 also seen, with several individuals, on rough ground near a grain storage in the port area of Roeselare.
Parthenium hysterophorus has become an aggressive weed outside of its native distribution range, for instance in parts of Africa, Asia and Australia (e.g. Kaur & al. 2014). It is expected as a pest species in the Mediterranean area as well (Brunel & al. 2014) but is probably not hardy in Belgium. It not only is an agricultural weed but also poisonous to livestock.
Selected literature:
Brunel S., Panetta D., Fried G., Kriticos D., Prasad R., Lansink A.O., Shabbir A. & Yaacoby T. (2014) Preventing a new invasive alien plant from entering and spreading in the Euro-Mediterranean region: the case study of Parthenium hysterophorus. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 44(3): 479-489.
Chelvan P.T. & Durani P.K. (1983) Occurrence of Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. in Orissa and Pondicherry (India). Geobios New Rep. 2(2): 131.
Dam D.P., Dutta R.M. & Dam N. (1993) An early collection record of Parthenium hysterophorus L. from Botanic Garden, Calcutta. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 90(1): 128.
Evans H.C. (1997) Parthenium hysterophorus: a review of its weed status and the possibilities for biological control. Biocontrol News and Information 18(3): 89-98.
Kaur M., Aggarwal N.K., Kumar V. & Dhiman R. (2014) Effects and Management of Parthenium hysterophorus: A Weed of Global Significance. International Scholarly Research Notices 2014 [available online at: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2014/368647/]
Lewis W.H., Dixit A.B. & Wedner H.J. (1988) Reproductive biology of Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae). J. Palynol. 23-24: 73-81.
Maheshwari J.K. & Pandey R.S. (1973) Parthenium weed in Bihar State. Curr. Sci. 42 (20): 733.
Mishra K.K. (1992) Parthenium hysterophorus Linn., a new record for Nepal. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 88(3): 466-467.
Naskar K. & Bakshi D.N.G. (1986) Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. an exotic poisonous weed in India: a review. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 7(3): 741-748.
Piazzano M., Bernardello G., Novara L., Alarcon S.R., De La Fuente J.R. & Hadid M. (1998) Evaluación de los límites específicos entre Parthenium hysterophorus y P. Glomeratum (Asteraceae-Ambrosiinae) evidencias morfológicas, anatómicas, cromosomáticas y fitoquímicas. An. Jard. Bot. Madrid 56(1): 65-76. [available online at: http://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=70510]
Rao R.R. (1979) Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. (Asteraceae) from Gauhati, Assam - a new record for north-east India. J. Indian Bot. Soc. 58(1): 44-46.
Wabuyele E., Lusweti A., Bisikwa J., Kyenune G., Clark K., Lotter W.D., McConnachie A.C. & Wondi M. (2014) A Roadside Survey of the Invasive Weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in East Africa. Journal of East African Natural History 103(1): 49-57. [available online at: http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.2982/028.103.0105]
Yaqoob M., Ahmed N. & Naqshi A.R. (1989) Extension of distribution of an obnoxious American weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae). J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 12(2): 375-376.