Pompom Weed
Campuloclinium macrocephalum
NEMBA: Category 1b
English: Pompom Weed, Pom Pom Weed
Afrikaans: Pompom Bossie
Misapplied or old scientific names: Eupatorium macrocephalum
Pompom weed is a South American herb belonging to the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is rapidly becoming the most serious threat to the conservation of grasslands in South Africa
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Origins: Central and South America (Mexico to Argentina)
Overall Appearance:
Campuloclinium macrocephalum is an erect, perennial herb that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. It dies back annually to a root crown.
Leaves:
Leaves are light green, scattered along the length of the stem but clustered at the base to form a rosette. They are typically 80 mm long and 20 mm wide, with serrated margins.
Flowers:
The most distinctive feature is the showy, pink flowerhead. Each flowerhead consists of hundreds of tiny, star-shaped florets surrounded by purple bracts (leaf-like scales). This gives the flowerhead a fluffy, "pompom" appearance.
Flowering Season:
Flowering occurs primarily from December to March.
Fruits:
Small, dry fruits (achenes) with a tuft of brown hairs (pappus) that aid in wind dispersal.
Seeds:
Numerous, small seeds produced within the achenes.
Soil Type:
Adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including grasslands, savannas, and disturbed areas.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Note:
Campuloclinium macrocephalum is a highly invasive species in South Africa.
It forms dense stands that displace native vegetation, reducing biodiversity and grazing capacity.
It can also alter the fire regime in grasslands.
Control measures, such as herbicide application and mechanical removal, are often necessary to manage infestations.
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Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Asteraceae (star) - Order: Asterales