It is Spring and the Pompom weed is still hiding underground, but come January, it is out in full bloom from sideroads right into the veld.
Why the concern over such a pretty flower in the veld?
It is firstly, costly. Invasive species cost the global economy more than $423 billion every year, according to a report by the United Nations.
A study conducted by Rene Eschew, Tim Beale and Bryony Taylor in 2021, indicates the cost per annum of invasive alien plant species in Africa, is estimated at USD 9,5 billion.
Secondly, Pompom weed is an enemy to conservation efforts.
Grasslands are a fairly reliable carbon sink, mostly secure underground, according to panelist, Dr Heidi Hawkins, who spoke at a session about managing grassy biomes, presented by the Oppenheimer research and conservation.
Temperate grasslands underground store up about 236 gigatons of carbon.
Above the surface, pompom weed displaces indigenous species, reducing both the biological diversity and carrying capacity of wetlands and veld, according to the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
Thirdly, it is spreading at a rapid pace, using disturbed roadsides as entry to significant biomes.
The invaded range of pompom weed in Southern Africa, now includes Cape Town, George, Durban, Maputo, Gaborone, Windhoek, Harare; biomes of southern Africa such as Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo, Namib Desert, and Grasslands, according to researcher, Andrew John Mcconnachie.
“Campuloclinium macrocephalum” is the scientific name for pompom weed.
The Invasive Species South Africa (ISSA) says the pretty invader (pompom weed) is listed as category 1B on the national invasive species list, requiring immediate removal once identified.
It is apparently from Argentina and has been around since the 1890s, having been transported during the Anglo Boer War (1899 – 1902).
Visit inaturalist to identify and report exotic plants: https://www.inaturalist.org/
Picture of pompom weed in grasslands veld: Pilanesburg Wildlife Trust