Common Name: Creeping daisy. Tamil Name: Manjal karisalankani
Creeping daisy is a (native of South America) prostrate fast growing weed found all over India. It creeps on the ground by frequently rooting at nodes and forms impenetrable mats. The stem is hairy with some purple patches. The leaf is shallowly tri-lobed and has a gently toothed margin. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green in color and the lower surface comes with a lighter shade of green. The upper leaf surface has a sand paper like feel. On the lower side of the leaf nerves are prominently seen. The leaf base is attenuate. The leaf size is highly variable: 4.8 cm-7 cm in length. The pedicel measure 6 cm bearing a single flower head; the flower head measure around 2.5 cm (across). The bracts of green color are arranged in two rows. The petals are elliptic and yellow in color. Creeping daisy features in the IUCN list of “world’s 100 most invasive plants”. The plant can grow in shade and under full light conditions. It forms impenetrable mats edging out other native plants. This plant should be avoided even in home gardens.
