HerbWildAnnualMedicinal

Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Gajjar Boti

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Description

Parthenium hysterophorus is an erect annual herb, usually 30–150 cm tall, with a much-branched, longitudinally grooved, hairy stem. Basal leaves are deeply pinnatifid, while upper leaves are smaller and less divided. Numerous small flower heads are arranged in terminal corymbs. Each capitulum bears five small white ray florets surrounding numerous tubular disc florets. Fruits are small black achenes lacking a pappus.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Deeply divided leaves and much-branched hairy stems.

Floral

Numerous small white flower heads arranged in dense terminal clusters.

Fruit & Seed

Small black achenes without a pappus.

Distribution

Native range: Central America and the Caribbean.

Introduced range: Widely invasive throughout Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific.

In Pakistan: Common and invasive throughout Pakistan.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Throughout most of the year, especially March–November Fruiting: Almost year-round under favorable conditions

Ethnobotany & Uses

Uses

Limited traditional medicinal uses for fever, wounds, and skin diseases. Considered one of the world's most aggressive invasive weeds. Causes serious yield losses in crops through allelopathy. Pollen and plant hairs may cause dermatitis, respiratory allergies, and asthma in sensitive individuals.

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Where it grows on campus

East-South-East Campus1

individuals mapped across 1 zone

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Taxonomic Notes

Parthenium hysterophorus is among the most problematic invasive weeds worldwide. It is readily identified by its deeply dissected leaves, profuse branching, and numerous small white capitula. The species is recognized as an accepted taxon in Flora of Pakistan, Plants of the World Online (POWO), and World Flora Online (WFO).