Tree Daisy (bush daisy, montanoa, anzac flower)
Montanoa hibiscifolia
Species Info General
Family: Asteraceae
Introduced to Hawai‘i as an ornamental in 1919, tree daisy is an invasive shrub native to South America, Central America, and Mexico. This species is on the State of Hawai‘i Noxious Weed List because it produces copious amounts of seeds, grows easily in the shades, and forms monotypic stands that outcompetes other vegetation.
Identification/Description
- Large, branched shrub to 12 ft tall
- Leaves are broad, up to 1.8 ft long by 1 ft wide, and are usually deeply lobed, hairy
- Showy sprays of daisy-like flowers bloom in winter; disk yellow, ray petals white
- Seeds are dark reddish brown,about 1 inch long in rounded, papery, old flower-heads (see photos)
- Prefers drier mesic areas
Impacts
- Forms dense monospecific stands, displacing native plant and animal species
- known to invade roadsides, disturbed areas, wastelands, urban open spaces, savannahs, woodlands, foreest edges/gaps and riverbanks
