| Synonyms: | |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | not common yet. |
| Status: | Introduced |
| Description: |
For descriptions see World Flora Online |
| Type location: |
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| Notes: |
It was only about 2 years ago (2024) that I was notified for the first time about a weed in an agricultural field in the Muanza District to the East of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. It turned out to be a South American composite called Porophyllum ruderale. How it got there is unknown and is odd to say the least, since this species is not really known as an introduced weed anywhere in Africa, not even in South Africa. We recently have now recorded is quite a few times in the National Park it self, where it is not common yet but it is definitely spreading. There are two varieties accepted but it is uncertain which of these two is in Mozambique. (Bart W.) |
| Derivation of specific name: | ruderale: ruderal, growing on waste ground or in disturbed land. |
| Habitat: | As a weed of cultivation, in disturbed places and along roadsides. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | 40 - 100 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Native in Southern USA, Mexico, Central America and tropical South America; known as and introduced weed in eastern China, Indonesia, New Guinea, Queensland Australia, Ivory Coast and recently also in Mozambique. |
| FZ divisions: | MS |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Thursday 23 July 2026 |
| Literature: |