Asteraceae

Arctotheca calendula

Common Names: Cape Weed

Plant Form: Annual rosette herb. Size: Up to 30 cm tall. Stem: Purplish, sprawling, flowering stems have white hairs. Leaves: Mostly in rosette, lobed, 5-25 cm long and 2-6 cm wide, margins toothed, upper surface naked or hairy, lower surface white-felted. Flowers: Round, 15 mm diameter, with yellow petals 1.5-2.5 cm long and dark centre. Fruit and Seeds: 2 mm long, covered with brown wool. Habitat: Lawns and gardens. Distinguishing Features: Lobed leaves with white-felted underside distinguish from other rosette herbs such as Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea). Impacts: Replaces more palatable vegetation for grazing, or native species.Smothers grass, leaving bare areas when it dies off for further invasion.