Invasive weed 4: Singapore Daisy

Name: Singapore Daisy
Scientific name: Sphagneticola trilobata
Other names: trailing daisy, creeping-oxeye or wedelia
Level: Category 3 restricted invasive plant

The Singapore Daisy is a ground cover or low climbing plant with lush glossy green leaves around 4-18cm long and 1-8cm wide. This weed is native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and bloom mostly in Autumn but will flower all year round. Singapore Daisies produce yellow/orange daisy flowers around 2cm wide, and seeds are described as elongated, brown and 4-5cm long. The amount of seeds per vary depending on the condition of the weed (weeds.brisane.gld.gov.au, 2020).

Figure 1: Singapore daisy flowers and leaves by Queensland Government.

Singapore daisies mostly disperse their seeds by cuttings from slashing and pruning. Seeds can still be dispersed by animals and waterways depending on where the adult plant is. When seeds are established in new areas, it overgrows to form a thick cover which prevents growth of other plants and pushes out competing native plan species (Qi et al, 2014).

Figure 2: overgrown Singapore daisies by Weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Singapore daisy is a category level 3 invasive plant and can be difficult to manage depending on the area it is located. Herbicide can be used to control the spread of the weed but contacting local government office or Biosecurity QLD is needed before using herbicide. Another way to control the spread is to physically remove the weed and its runners to prevent regrowth. Disposing of the weed by burning or placing in a black garage bag before placing in bin (business.qld.gov.au, 2020).

References

Qi, S., Dai, Z., Zhai, D., Chen, S., Si, C., Huang, P., Wang, R., Zhong, Q. & Du, D. 2014, "Curvilinear effects of invasive plants on plant diversity: plant community invaded by Sphagneticola trilobata", PloS one, vol. 9, no. 11, pp. e113964-e113964.

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/land-management/health-pests-weeds-diseases/weeds-diseases/invasive-plants/restricted/singapore-daisy

https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/singapore-daisy