Three Ambrosia species are known
to have naturalized in South Africa:
A. artemisiifolia, A. psilostachya and
A. tenuifolia. Ambrosia tenuifolia is
known to occur only in the Eastern
Cape and Ambrosia psilostachya has
very finely dissected leaves resembling those of fennel. Of these three
Ambrosia species it is most likely
that famine weed could be confused with A. artemisiifolia due to
their similar morphology and
growth forms This document aims
to assist people in distinguishing
Parthenium hysterophorus (Famine
Weed) from Ambrosia artemisiifolia,
and is intended for use as a broad
guideline only, as exceptions do occur due to the many factors that
affect the growth and vigour of individual plants and populations.
Map showing confirmed populations
Parthenium hysterophorus Famine weed
* The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is mandated
to conserve South Africa’s rich biodiversity. Its Invasive Species Programme, funded by the Department
of Environmental Affairs, Natural
Resources Management Programmes aims to reduce the threat
of biological invasions through detection, identification assessment
and management of invasive species that may be contained or eradicated.
**most data sourced from the
Southern African Plant Invaders Atlas (SAPIA).
Acknowledgements
Reshnee Lalla, South African National Biodiversity Institutes’ Invasive
Species Programme (ISP)
([email protected]), with inputs
from Lorraine Strathie, Agricultural
Research Council-Plant Protection
Research Institute (ARC-PRRI).
Acknowledgement to the ISP.
Ambrosia artemisiifolia Common Ragweed