Striga asiatica

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Witchweed, Asiatic witchweed
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Scrophulariales Family: Scrophulariaceae Genus: Striga Species: S. asiatica
Binomial name
Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze

Witchweed or Asiatic witchweed (Striga asiatica, synonym: Striga lutea) is a parasitic plant in the figwort family.

Asiatic witchweed is an invasive agricultural pest, attacking important crops in the U.S. such as corn, sorghum, and sugar cane.

The plant is native to India, where it is also a pest species. It was introduced to the Carolinas in the 1950s. A vigorous eradication campaign has reduced the area of infestation in the U.S. by 99 percent (from 450,000 acres to about 3,400)

[edit] Sources

• Invasive.org
• USDA
• Striga asiatica (TSN 505388). Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
• Simberloff, Danial. 2003. Eradication- preventing invasions at the outset. Weed Science:51:247–253.

[edit] See also

• Striga (plant)