Re: Solvia? (Soliva pterosperma)

Tim - 

Here is what Western Weeds: A guide to the weeds of Western Australia
(http://www.support.net/Medit-Plants/inprint/wwagttw.html) says about
this species:

"Soliva pterosperma (bindii, jo-jo, onehunga) is a low, mat-forming
annual with deeply divided leaves and inconspicuous heads where the
stems branch.  It flowers in spring and then each seed develops a
short, sharp spine.  A serious weed of lawns and roadsides between
Perth and Albany.  Native to South America."

The above it occompanied by a photo of a tiny, green, weedy-looking
thing without much to recommend itself (and this comming from one who
is often singing the praises of what most people consider weeds!).  I
suspect someone is playing a joke on you!  ;-)

I would appear to be a appropriate subject in any case as this is
such a pest in the mediterranean climate in western Australia.

Regards,
Sean O.

At 08:41 PM 10/24/99 +0100, Peter E Lewis wrote:
>Tim, 
>Maybe I can get something right.
>Your plant would seem to be Soliva pterpsperma, known as the jo-jo weed
>in South America, and also known as a troublesome weed in Australia,
>California etc.
>You will find it in Mabberley, The Plant Book.
>Best wishes if you dont sow it.
>Peter Lewis, Cambridge, UK.
>
>Tim Longville wrote:
>> This is hardly a Mediterrranean query in any strict sense but maybe
>> somebody can help with it - perhaps one of our Aussie members or Nick
>> Turland if he's listening.
>> 
>> I've grown a plant which came to me as Solvia pterspernum (sic). It
>> came as seed, the seed came, via a UK friend, from Australia, and the
>> Australian friend who grew it there said that it was originally a S.
>> American and he thought a Brazilian plant.       <snip>

Sean A. O'Hara                       sean.ohara@groupmail.com
h o r t u l u s   a p t u s          710 Jean Street
'a garden suited to its purpose'     Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
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