Parthenium, a flowering weed, is commonplace in the Americas. It appears innocent with simple, white blossoms and lacy foliage. But it has become a serious agricultural and rangeland weed in parts of Australia, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. It’s an aggressive colonizer, growing on any type of soil and in a wide range of habitats, suppressing biodiversity and poisoning livestock production.
Researchers from the Integrated Pest Management Innovation Lab and their regional partners have been working to help farmers in Ethiopia, a country heavily affected by this pernicious weed. The following video offers some insight into the problem and the progress being made.
Taking Aim at a Bitter Weed