Creeping groundsel

Description:

A robust shiny leaved creeper with clusters of 5 petalled bright yellow flowers. The petals are those of the ray florets, the plant being in the Asteraceae family. The yellow petals were shiny and highly reflective, making these flowers very attractive. Leaves were thick ( like succulants) and tringular with broad toothed margins. The whole plant seemed to have covered a number of other plants and was making it's way up a road side gully.

Habitat:

This is a native of South Africa. It is now seen in parts of Europe, some other parts of Africa, is a pest in New Zealand and a weed in Australia. It is also said to have found its way to Melanesia. Spotted this plant in a couple of places growing wild. It is capable of climbing given the right support.

Notes:

Although very attractive, it is capable of smothering native undergrowth, so needs to be kept in check. Unsure if it attracts birds or insects - need to read-up! Their seeds are wind-blown because of their parachute-like hairs, helping dispersal. The plant also spreads from discarded garden waste containing stems and branches which sprout.