Code
ACNHI
Growth form
broadleaf
Biological cycle
annualHabitat
terrestrial
🗒 Synonyms
| synonym | Acanthospermum humile var. hispidum (DC.) Kuntze |
🗒 Common Names
| Afrikaans |
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| Chinese |
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| Creoles and pidgins; French-based |
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| English |
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| French |
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| Hindi |
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| Malgache |
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| Ndebele |
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| Other |
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| Portuguese |
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| Shona |
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| Spanish; Castilian |
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📚 Overview
Description
Global description
Acanthospermum hispidum is an upright, symmetrically-branched annual subshrub, reaching up to 60 cm. It is covered with stiff white hairs. The dull to pale green leaves are usually opposite and sessile; they are ovate to elliptic or tongue-shaped, irregularly shallow-toothed/serrated to lobed on the margin. The small green-yellow capitulums are solitary; they are inserted in the "forks" of the branches. The fruits are arranged in star-shaped groups of 7 to 9; they are covered with short hooked prickles with two longer ones at the tip.
Cotyledons
The cotyledons are oblanceolate, with truncated ending and attenuated bases. They are 10 to 15 mm long and 5 to 6 mm wide with hairy surfaces.
First leaves
The first leaves are simple and opposite. The lamina is ovate, attenuated into a petiole in the lower third. The margin is finely serrated and both surfaces are hispid. As from the second pair of leaves, the plant branches dichotomously.
Growth habit
The plant has a erect growth habit. Dichotomous branching from the base gives the plant a bushy form, largely prostrate at fruiting. It can grow 30 to 60 cm tall.
Underground system
A single main taproot supporting many fine lateral roots.
Stem
The stem is full, quadrangular and hispid. Its base is normally sub-woody.
Leaf
The leaves are opposite and sessile, of similar size in the same pair. The lamina is ovate and ending into a petiole in the lower third. The base is partially clasping. The blade is 6 to 8 cm long and 2 to 4 cm wide. It is three-veined from just above the base. The leaf margin is serrated in the upper two thirds and both sides of the leaf are covered with stiff hairs.
Inflorescence
The flowers are grouped in briefly stalked, solitary capitullum, located at the intersection of each dichotomous branching. The greenish capitulum is subtended by five bracts forming a circle.
Flower
The bracts of the capitulum is composed of five bracts embracing a circle of 5 to 10 females, fertile, ligulate, flowers. In the center are a few bisexual flowers, sterile, tubulate. The entire capitulum is greenish. The small tubular yellow flowers are arranged in tight clusters at the center of the inflorescence.
Fruit
There are between 5 and 10 achenes per fruit. These achenes are arranged in star form. Achenes are triangular or wedged and are 6 to 8 mm long and 3 to 4 mm wide. They are covered with recurved spines. Of the two dominant outer spines, the one is straight and the other is recurved.
Acanthospermum hispidum is an upright, symmetrically-branched annual subshrub, reaching up to 60 cm. It is covered with stiff white hairs. The dull to pale green leaves are usually opposite and sessile; they are ovate to elliptic or tongue-shaped, irregularly shallow-toothed/serrated to lobed on the margin. The small green-yellow capitulums are solitary; they are inserted in the "forks" of the branches. The fruits are arranged in star-shaped groups of 7 to 9; they are covered with short hooked prickles with two longer ones at the tip.
Cotyledons
The cotyledons are oblanceolate, with truncated ending and attenuated bases. They are 10 to 15 mm long and 5 to 6 mm wide with hairy surfaces.
First leaves
The first leaves are simple and opposite. The lamina is ovate, attenuated into a petiole in the lower third. The margin is finely serrated and both surfaces are hispid. As from the second pair of leaves, the plant branches dichotomously.
Growth habit
The plant has a erect growth habit. Dichotomous branching from the base gives the plant a bushy form, largely prostrate at fruiting. It can grow 30 to 60 cm tall.
Underground system
A single main taproot supporting many fine lateral roots.
Stem
The stem is full, quadrangular and hispid. Its base is normally sub-woody.
Leaf
The leaves are opposite and sessile, of similar size in the same pair. The lamina is ovate and ending into a petiole in the lower third. The base is partially clasping. The blade is 6 to 8 cm long and 2 to 4 cm wide. It is three-veined from just above the base. The leaf margin is serrated in the upper two thirds and both sides of the leaf are covered with stiff hairs.
Inflorescence
The flowers are grouped in briefly stalked, solitary capitullum, located at the intersection of each dichotomous branching. The greenish capitulum is subtended by five bracts forming a circle.
Flower
The bracts of the capitulum is composed of five bracts embracing a circle of 5 to 10 females, fertile, ligulate, flowers. In the center are a few bisexual flowers, sterile, tubulate. The entire capitulum is greenish. The small tubular yellow flowers are arranged in tight clusters at the center of the inflorescence.
Fruit
There are between 5 and 10 achenes per fruit. These achenes are arranged in star form. Achenes are triangular or wedged and are 6 to 8 mm long and 3 to 4 mm wide. They are covered with recurved spines. Of the two dominant outer spines, the one is straight and the other is recurved.
Wiktrop
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| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
No Data
📚 Natural History
Life Cycle
Life cycle
Annual
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Brazil: Acanthospermum hispidum grows rapidly in the Estate of Sao Paulo, lasting 120 days from germination to fruiting. Flowering occurs from February to April and fruiting from March to May.
Northern Cameroon : Germination begins with the first significant rains at start of crop cycle (May). Flowering occurs very rapidly because the first capitullum appears at the branching point of the second pair of leaves. From June, the first alkenes are formed. Cultivation weeding practices such as plowing , weeding and mounding , cause new short phases of germination. These sprouts are even fewer that culture has a strong recovery . In regularly weeded plots , flowering and fruiting are delayed by 1 to 2 months . The plant dries in November, the start of the dry season.
China: Acanthospermum hispidum flowers from June to July and fruits from August to October.
Mayotte: A. hispidum flowers and fruits all year round.
Nicaragua: Flowers and fruits in June.
South Africa: Acanthospermum hispidum flowers and fruits from December to June.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Cyclicity
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Acanthospermum hispidum is an annual plant, it multiplies only by seed. Achenes are dispersed (Zoochoric dispersal) when they get caught in animal fur or hooves. This dispersal is greatly enhanced by the migration of animals in the early dry season. Dormancy is significant, and the percentage of germination at dipersal is very low (less than 1%). The viability of the seeds strongly decreases when they are more than 7 cm in depth.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Morphology
Growth form
Erected
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf type
Simple
Type of prefoliation
Leaf ratio medium
Broad leaves
Equality of opposite leaves
Opposite leaves equal
Latex
Without latex
Stem section
Round
Square
Root type
Taproot
Hollow or solid stem
Solid stem
Stipule type
No stipule
Leaf attachment type
sessile
Fruit type
Dry fruit
Cotyledon type
emarginate
Lamina base
rounded
attenuate
Lamina margin
largely dentate
Lamina apex
acute
Upperface pilosity
Dense hairy
Upperface hair type
Pubescent
Long
Lowerface pilosity
Dense hairy
Lowerface hair type
Long
Simple leaf type
Lamina elliptic
Lamina section
flat
Lamina Veination
3 opposite at the basis
3 alternate at the basis
Flower color
Green
Inflorescence type
Capitule with tubular and ligulate flowers
Stem pilosity
Dense hairy
Stem hair type
Short and long hairs mixed
Life form
Broadleaf plant
Look Alikes
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
Acanthospermum hispidum can be confused with Acanthospermum australe, but A. hispidum is upright and very hispid, and has 2 prominent spines at the apex of the fruit.
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| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY_SA |
| References |
Physiology
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Acanthospermum hispidum is a C3 species.
Wiktrop
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| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
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Ecology
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It is a ruderal species. It shows little preference between soil types but it is rare in heavy clay or waterlogged soils. It requires a high level of nitrogen and sunlight.
Central Africa: Acanthospermum hispidum grows in ruderal and post-cultivation areas, roadsides, bare riverbanks, degraded savannahs and pastures; up to 1400 m altitude.
Brazil: Acanthospermum hispidum thrives in cultivated soils, pastures and roadsides. It is more aggressive in soils with corrected and fertilised acidity, in both sandy and clay soils.
Northern Cameroon: Acanthospermum hispidum is a ruderal species, characteristic of livestock rangeland areas and grazed plots after harvest. It is a nitrophile species; it has no preference for particular soil although rare on the heavy clay soils as vertisols or on waterlogged soils. This is a very sun-loving plant, common in old plots receiving regular fertilizer and more abundant the culture has a weak recovery.
China: Weed of riverbanks, roadsides and barren slopes; below 1900 m altitude.
Brazil: Acanthospermum hispidum thrives in cultivated soils, pastures and roadsides. It is more aggressive in soils with corrected and fertilised acidity, in both sandy and clay soils.
Northern Cameroon: Acanthospermum hispidum is a ruderal species, characteristic of livestock rangeland areas and grazed plots after harvest. It is a nitrophile species; it has no preference for particular soil although rare on the heavy clay soils as vertisols or on waterlogged soils. This is a very sun-loving plant, common in old plots receiving regular fertilizer and more abundant the culture has a weak recovery.
China: Weed of riverbanks, roadsides and barren slopes; below 1900 m altitude.
Madagascar: ruderal species and weeds of rainfed cultures, widespread, especially in areas where breeding is quite consequent (Middle East, West, Southwest, High Lands). Very common in crops with nitrogen rich soil. No particular preference for soil types.
Mauritius: weed crops, vacant lots and roadsides. It is especially common around Pamplemousses and Port Louis.
Mayotte: A. hispidum is sometimes naturalized on rocks and sands of the littoral. I occurs on the capes and the islets.
Nicaragua: Common weed on roadsides, in fields and disturbed areas, Pacific and central-northern zones; from 0 to 1200 m altitude.
Mayotte: A. hispidum is sometimes naturalized on rocks and sands of the littoral. I occurs on the capes and the islets.
Nicaragua: Common weed on roadsides, in fields and disturbed areas, Pacific and central-northern zones; from 0 to 1200 m altitude.
Reunion: ruderal and nitrophile species.
South Africa: In Natal, Acanthospermum hispidum is a weed of crops and roadsides along the coast and in dry river valleys below around 760 m.
West Indies: Acanthospermum hispidum is an arvale and ruderal species that grows mainly on volcanic soil in the leeward region, at altitudes of 0 to 100 m.
South Africa: In Natal, Acanthospermum hispidum is a weed of crops and roadsides along the coast and in dry river valleys below around 760 m.
West Indies: Acanthospermum hispidum is an arvale and ruderal species that grows mainly on volcanic soil in the leeward region, at altitudes of 0 to 100 m.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Associations
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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📚 Habitat and Distribution
General Habitat
Habitat
Terrestrial
Description
Geographical distibution
Madagascar
Reunion Island
Mauritius
Origin
Acanthospermum hispidum is native to tropical America.
Worldwide distribution
This species is widespread in the tropics.
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| Attributions | dummy |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY_SA |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Risk Statement
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Global weediness
A. hispidum can be particularly troublesome in the case of late weeding because of its deep taproot and fast fruit development, making it difficult to weed. It is somewhat troublesome if the crop covers well (sun-loving), they can become abundant and harmful in case of slow development of culture.
Local weediness
Brazil: Acanthospermum hispidum is a highly invasive weed of annual crops, particularly in the central-western and south-eastern regions of Brazil. In cotton growing, it causes serious secondary damage by soiling the fibre with seeds, which reduces its value. In pastures, it is a nuisance for animals in general, as the thorny fruits injure the skin. For sheep, the damage is greater because the fruit gets stuck in the skin, reducing quality.
Northern Cameroon: A. hispidum is present in 25% of cultivated land, but is abundant only occasionally in poorly weeded plots.
Northern Cameroon: A. hispidum is present in 25% of cultivated land, but is abundant only occasionally in poorly weeded plots.
Madagascar: Weed very damaging in upland rice crops, cotton, maize, groundnuts and cowpeas also because of its early germination (the first rains) and its rapid growth. It is majorly troublesome for harvest in under-serviced plots.
Mauritius: A weed rarely found in crops.
Reunion: A weed rare in Reunion and never abundant.
Seychelles: absent.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Uses and Management
Management
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Global control
Most broadleaf herbicides are successful in controlling this weed.
Local control
Madagascar: It is observed that tillage causes germination of Acanthospermum hispidum. Manual weeding is made very uncomfortable by the hairs and very pungent fruit. A. hispidum is controlled chemically by atrazine or diuron pre-emergence, and 2,4-D, bentazon or glyphosate on young plants, or optionally elderly. A good ground cover can be used to control it.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Information Listing
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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References
- Akobundu I.O. & Agyakwa C.W., 1989. Guide des adventices d'Afrique de l'Ouest. Institut international d'agriculture tropicale. Ibadan, Nigeria, 521p.
- Berhaut J., 1967. Flore du Sénégal. 2ème éd. Clairafrique éd., Dakar, Sénégal, 485p.
- Berhaut J., 1974. Flore illustrée du Sénégal. Tome 2. Clairafrique éd., Dakar, Sénégal, 695 p.
- Hutchinson J., Dalziel J. M., Keay R. W. J. & Hepper F. N., 1963. Flora of West Tropical Africa. Vol. II. 2ème éd. The Whitefriars Press ed., London & Tonbridge, 544p.
- Ivens G. W., 1989. East African Weeds and Their Control. Oxford University Press, Nairobi, Kenya, 289p.
- Ivens G. W., Moody K. & Egunjobi J. K., 1978. West African Weeds. Oxford University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria, 255p.
- le Bourgeois Th., 1993. Les mauvaises herbes dans la rotation cotonnière au Nord-Cameroun (Afrique) - Amplitude d'habitat et degré d'infestation - Cycle de développement. Thèse USTL Montpellier II, Montpellier, France, 241p.
- Le Bourgeois, T., A. Carrara, M. Dodet, W. Dogley, A. Gaungoo, P. Grard, Y. Ibrahim, E. Jeuffrault, G. Lebreton, P. Poilecot, J. Prosperi, J. A. Randriamampianina, A. P. Andrianaivo and F. Théveny (2008). Advent-OI : Principales adventices des îles du sud-ouest de l'Océan Indien. Cédérom. Montpellier, France, Cirad ed.
- Plants of the World Online https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:173718-1
- The World Flora Online http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000068556
- Flora of China http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242420070
- CABI https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.2465
- Kissmann, K.G. & Groth, D. 1992. Plantas Infestantes e Nocivas. Sao Paulo, Brasil.
- Fournet J., 2002. Flore illustrée des phanérogames de Guadeloupe et de Martinique. Montpellier, France, Cirad, Gondwana éditions.
- Australian Government. Weeds in Australia.
- Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
- Grard, P., Le Bourgeois, T. and Merlier, H. (2010). Adventrop V.1.5 Les adventices d'Afrique soudano-sahélienne. Cirad, Montpellier, France.
- Swaziland’s Alien Plants Database
- Bromilow C. 2010. Problem plants and alien weeds of South Africa. Pretoria: Briza Publications, p.316.
- US Forest Service, Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
- van der Walt, R. (2009). Wild flowers of the limpopo valley. Retha van der Walt. Musina, South Africa.
- Le Bourgeois, T., P. Grard, L. C. Foxcroft, D. Thompson, A. Carrara, A. Guézou, R. W. Taylor and T. Marshall (2013). Pl@ntInvasive-Kruger V.1.0 : Alien plants of the Kruger National Park. Cdrom. Montpellier, France, Skukuza, South Africa, Cirad-SANparks-SAEON eds.
- Flora of Zimbabwe
- Merlier H. & Montégut J., 1982. Adventices tropicales. ORSTOM-GERDAT-ENSH éd., Montpellier, France, 490p.
- Barthelat, F. 2019. La Flore illustrée de Mayotte. Meze, Paris, France, Collection Inventaires et Biodiversité, Biotope – Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 487 p.
- Husson, O., H. Charpentier, F.-X. Chabaud, K. Naudin, Rakotondramanana et L. Séguy (2010). Flore des jachères et adventices des cultures. Annexe 1 : les principales plantes de jachères et adventices des cultures à Madagascar. In : Manuel pratique du semis direct à Madagascar. Annexe 1 - Antananarivo : GSDM/CIRAD, 2010 : 64 p.
Information Listing > References
- Akobundu I.O. & Agyakwa C.W., 1989. Guide des adventices d'Afrique de l'Ouest. Institut international d'agriculture tropicale. Ibadan, Nigeria, 521p.
- Berhaut J., 1967. Flore du Sénégal. 2ème éd. Clairafrique éd., Dakar, Sénégal, 485p.
- Berhaut J., 1974. Flore illustrée du Sénégal. Tome 2. Clairafrique éd., Dakar, Sénégal, 695 p.
- Hutchinson J., Dalziel J. M., Keay R. W. J. & Hepper F. N., 1963. Flora of West Tropical Africa. Vol. II. 2ème éd. The Whitefriars Press ed., London & Tonbridge, 544p.
- Ivens G. W., 1989. East African Weeds and Their Control. Oxford University Press, Nairobi, Kenya, 289p.
- Ivens G. W., Moody K. & Egunjobi J. K., 1978. West African Weeds. Oxford University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria, 255p.
- le Bourgeois Th., 1993. Les mauvaises herbes dans la rotation cotonnière au Nord-Cameroun (Afrique) - Amplitude d'habitat et degré d'infestation - Cycle de développement. Thèse USTL Montpellier II, Montpellier, France, 241p.
- Le Bourgeois, T., A. Carrara, M. Dodet, W. Dogley, A. Gaungoo, P. Grard, Y. Ibrahim, E. Jeuffrault, G. Lebreton, P. Poilecot, J. Prosperi, J. A. Randriamampianina, A. P. Andrianaivo and F. Théveny (2008). Advent-OI : Principales adventices des îles du sud-ouest de l'Océan Indien. Cédérom. Montpellier, France, Cirad ed.
- Plants of the World Online https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:173718-1
- The World Flora Online http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000068556
- Flora of China http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242420070
- CABI https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.2465
- Kissmann, K.G. & Groth, D. 1992. Plantas Infestantes e Nocivas. Sao Paulo, Brasil.
- Fournet J., 2002. Flore illustrée des phanérogames de Guadeloupe et de Martinique. Montpellier, France, Cirad, Gondwana éditions.
- Australian Government. Weeds in Australia.
- Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
- Grard, P., Le Bourgeois, T. and Merlier, H. (2010). Adventrop V.1.5 Les adventices d'Afrique soudano-sahélienne. Cirad, Montpellier, France.
- Swaziland’s Alien Plants Database
- Bromilow C. 2010. Problem plants and alien weeds of South Africa. Pretoria: Briza Publications, p.316.
- US Forest Service, Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
- van der Walt, R. (2009). Wild flowers of the limpopo valley. Retha van der Walt. Musina, South Africa.
- Le Bourgeois, T., P. Grard, L. C. Foxcroft, D. Thompson, A. Carrara, A. Guézou, R. W. Taylor and T. Marshall (2013). Pl@ntInvasive-Kruger V.1.0 : Alien plants of the Kruger National Park. Cdrom. Montpellier, France, Skukuza, South Africa, Cirad-SANparks-SAEON eds.
- Flora of Zimbabwe
- Merlier H. & Montégut J., 1982. Adventices tropicales. ORSTOM-GERDAT-ENSH éd., Montpellier, France, 490p.
- Barthelat, F. 2019. La Flore illustrée de Mayotte. Meze, Paris, France, Collection Inventaires et Biodiversité, Biotope – Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 487 p.
- Husson, O., H. Charpentier, F.-X. Chabaud, K. Naudin, Rakotondramanana et L. Séguy (2010). Flore des jachères et adventices des cultures. Annexe 1 : les principales plantes de jachères et adventices des cultures à Madagascar. In : Manuel pratique du semis direct à Madagascar. Annexe 1 - Antananarivo : GSDM/CIRAD, 2010 : 64 p.
Etude floristique et phytoécologique des adventices des complexes sucriers de Ferké 1 et 2, de Borotou-Koro et de Zuenoula, en Côte d'Ivoire
TL
Thomas Le BourgeoisWeeds of tropical rainfed cropping systems: are there patterns at a global level of perception?
TL
Thomas Le BourgeoisEtude de la phénologie et des traits de réponse aux pratiques culturales des espèces végétales d'intérêt pour la lutte biologique en vergers d'agrumes à la Réunion
FL
Fabrice LE BELLECImages
Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Acanthospermum%2520hispidum
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
🐾 Taxonomy
| Root | Root |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Acanthospermum |
| Species | Acanthospermum hispidum DC. |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
