Common name: Nodeweed, Cinderella weed.
Nodeweed is an annual very commonly found in Tamilnadu in fallow lands, road sides and abandoned gardens. It has a strong presence in urban areas also. The plant generally grows to around 15 in height, but often seen in prostrate conditions also. The simple leafs are arranged in an opposite manner the leaf margin in slighty serrate. The leavs are oval in shape with an acute tip and a cuneate base. The leaf size differs considerably. The composite flower has yellow ray florests in the outer edge and smaller yellow colored disk flowers in the middle. This plant is native to the South American region but presently has a large geographical range. It is considered as invasive in some areas. Each plant successfully produces hunreds of seeds. Seen in almost all districts of Tamilnadu, they are also present in the middle altitude regions of Wester ghats.
