Species Overview

Native to: Central and South America

Introduced to Florida in the early 1900s, it has been popular as a groundcover in the ornamental trade for its beautiful yellow flowers and fast growth. However, it has escaped cultivation and invaded agricultural areas, roadsides, trails, along streams, and other disturbed sites.

Species Characteristics

Family: Asteraceae

Habit: mat forming perennial herb with rounded stems.

Leaves: fleshy, usually 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 5 inches wide, with irregularly toothed margins.

Flowers: solitary, one inch in diameter and yellow-orange in color.

Distribution in Florida: throughout, although less frequent in north central and the panhandle.

Impacts

Seed production is low and it generally does not reproduce prolifically via seed. However, it escapes from gardens to nearby areas via runners and fragmentation. Forms dense thickets of vegetation, crowding out native plants.

Do not plant.

Replace in landscape with native plants.

Mowing or slashing of wedelia infested areas should be avoided. This may cause the development of new plants.

None known.

Foliar: 0.25% Milestone, 2–5% glyphosate product, or 1.0% Garlon 4, with follow-up treatments as needed. Consult your local UF IFAS Extension for further assistance with management recommendations. Additional information can be found in the EDIS Publication Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida.