Camphorweed (Telegraph Plant)
Family Asteraceae
Heterotheca subaxilaris
Designation/Status
Arizona Noxious Weed List - Not Listed
Federal Noxious Weed List – Not Listed
Origin
Native of tropical America and the Southeastern United States.
Plant Characteristics
Life Cycle: Can be represented as an annual or a
biennial. It typically grows to heights of up to 6 feet and has a
large taproot.
Visual AppearanceStems are singular, mostly branching only at the top, more or less
covered by long, spreading hairs. Flowers have bright yellow rays,
orange disk flowers, to 1 inch wide, in loose clusters on branches
on a single, erect stem resembling a telegraph pole, followed by
seed heads like tiny, mature dandelions. Leaves are light green,
alternate, wavy, egg-shaped; thick, toothed, with clasping bases,
to 3.5 inches long. The upper leaves are almost heart-shaped,
sessile, and clasping the stem
Habitat
Grows in moist or dry sandy soil Roadsides, pastures, vacant lots,
and other disturbed places. It is common around southern or
central Arizona in areas at 1,000 to 5,500 feet in elevation.
Control Measures
Mechanical and Cultural: Seasonal mowing and hand
grubbing have proven effective in controlling Camphorweed.
Biological: None
Chemical:
Fall application of solicam and simazine as a preemergent, or
Tebuthiuron.
Other Points of Interest
Crushed leaves smell like Camphor
