Asian spiderflower
Cleome viscosa
Cleome viscosa, commonly known as Asian spiderflower, tickweed, or wild mustard cleome, is an annual plant species in the Cleomaceae family. It is native to various regions, including parts of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Here is a description of Cleome viscosa:
Appearance:
- Asian spiderflower is a bushy, erect annual herb that typically reaches heights of 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm).
- The leaves are alternate, compound, and palmately divided into 3 to 5 leaflets. They are typically serrated along the edges and have glandular hairs, giving them a sticky or viscous feel.
- The plant produces showy flowers with four petals, usually in shades of yellow, orange, or white. The flowers are arranged in racemes or clusters.
- Cleome viscosa produces long, slender seed pods that resemble those of other Cleome species. When mature, these pods contain small, round seeds.
Habitat:
- This plant is highly adaptable and can thrive in various habitats, including disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, gardens, and wastelands.
- It can tolerate a range of soil types and environmental conditions.
Lifecycle:
- Cleome viscosa is an annual plant, completing its life cycle within a single growing season.
- It reproduces primarily by seeds, which are contained in the long, slender pods.
Uses:
- In some regions, Asian spiderflower is considered a medicinal plant and is used in traditional herbal medicine for various purposes, including treating fevers, digestive issues, and skin ailments.
- The leaves and young shoots are sometimes consumed as a vegetable in certain cultures.
Impact:
- While Cleome viscosa has some traditional medicinal uses, it is often regarded as a weed in agricultural settings because it can compete with cultivated crops for resources such as water and nutrients.
- The plant's sticky leaves can trap small insects, which can be an annoyance to gardeners and agricultural workers.
Control:
- Control measures for Asian spiderflower may include manual removal of plants before they produce seeds, mowing, or cutting to prevent seed formation, and the use of herbicides in agricultural settings.
- Effective weed management strategies aim to prevent seed production and reduce the weed's presence in fields and gardens.
