Description: Introduced, cool-season, annual, low-growing, sparsely-hairy herb, which may root at the nodes. Leaves are deeply 1-2 divided. Heads are disc-shaped, 4-10 mm wide and solitary in the axils of the leaves. Fruits are spiny and winged. Flowering is mostly in spring and early summer. A native of South America, it is a weed of overgrazed or disturbed pastures, short or sparse lawns and roadsides in full sun. An indicator of overgrazing and poor ground cover. More a problem of lawns and roadsides, where the spiny fruit can be a nuisance. Control is best achieved by maintaining a healthy vigorous pasture. If herbicides are used, application should be between in late autumn and winter, before fruiting has commenced. Date: 1 September 2004, 11:04. Source:
Soliva sessilis leaf1. Author:
Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia.