Stevia ovata Willd., Enum. Pl. (Willdenow) 855 855 1809. (Syn: Stevia benthamiana Hieron.; Stevia ehrenbergiana Schltdl.; Stevia fascicularis Less.; Stevia jorullensis var. ehrenbergiana (Schltdl.) Sch.Bip.; Stevia nervosa DC.; Stevia ovata Dum.Cours. [Illegitimate]; Stevia paniculata Lag.; Stevia quitensis Kunth; Stevia rhombifolia Kunth; Stevia rhombifolia var. uniaristata (DC.) Sch.Bip.; Stevia ternifolia Kunth; Stevia uniaristata DC.);
Common name: Candyleaf, roundleaf candyleaf
Another exotic weed invading Uttarakhand Himalayas : Attachments (2). 5 posts by 5 authors. I had collected this species near Wynberg-Allen Private Estate.
Very recently, an exotic temperate weed (Stevia ovata) has been noticed in the Mussoorie hills, Uttarakhand, India. It is spreading in moist, southwestern hill slopes. Only 10-15 plants of this species were located in 2006. At present, it is not possible to count the number of plants in the Mussoorie hills where it is widely spread between Mussoorie and Dhanolit. This indicates that in favorable conditions, this species produces prolific seeds, which are disperse quickly by wind. In ‘The Indian Forester (2009)’ Naithani and Shah has reported this species from Mussoorie hills, Uttarkhand. Tide of invasive weeds is now uncontrollable and new weeds are joining the party! Endemics and habitat specific species will be first to vanish.
I have seen no species spreading as fast as Leucanthemum vulgare and Anthemis cotula with Matricaria matricaroides close on heels. There was just one patch of Leucanthemum vulgare (then known as Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) in Kashmir near Harwan reservoir in 1975, but now it is every where from 1600 m in valley ascending to alpine slopes. Same is the case with Anthemis cotula, present as single patch near tourist reception centre in Srinagar, but now almost in all places and altitudes. The two are easily the commonest weeds on roadsides, wastelands, mountain slopes and alpine meadows. Leucanthemum, I have recorded at a few other hill stations also.
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