Purple Cudweed - introduced *Gamochaeta purpurea

*Other names: *Gnaphalium coarctatum, Spiked Cudweed.

Family: Asteracee (Daisy family).

Native of South America.

Occurrence: A weed of weedy areas. It is often found growing beside streams.

Identification:

• the petals are not obvious, and are mostly hidden by the outer green floral leaves (the bracts)
• the flowers are stalkless along the upper part of the stem
• it has a basal rosette of leaves, which may be withered at flowering time
• the stem leaves alternate along the stem
• the leaves are green above and white cottony below
• it is usually unbranched, growing to about 50 cm high.

It is an annual or a perennial.