Hairy Horseweed / Flax-leaf Fleabane
Conyza bonariensis /
Erigeron bonariensis
Herbaceous weed in flower in a corn field near Eldoret, Kenya, Africa. October 2010.
ANNUAL: Herbaceous annual germinating from seed once rains or irrigation
is applied. Surprisingly able to grow with very little moisture. Generally with
a few upright stems occasionally exceeding 50 cm
tall.
FLOWERS: Numerous small flower heads remain mostly closed up with just the tips
of white bristles appearing above the bracts. The bract tips may appear
purplish.
LEAVES: Leaves and stems are covered with long silky hairs giving the
plant a silvery appearance. Leaves are elliptic to linear, usu. with several
teeth on the margins.
RANGE: Frequent weed in farming districts and household gardens
throughout Kenya. Not native to East Africa; introduced weed.
FRUIT: Heads produce abundant, single-seeded achenes topped by fine
bristles that serve to distribute seeds via wind.
UNARMED. Without thorns.