Witch weed (Striga asiatica)
Description
Striga asiatica, the Asiatic witchweed, is a hemiparasitic plant in the broomrape family. It is native to Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, but has been introduced into other parts of the world including Australia and the United States. Asiatic witchweed is a serious agricultural pest, as it parasitises important crop species, including corn, rice, sorghum, and sugar cane, often causing substantial yield reductions. In the USA, this witchweed was discovered in the Carolinas in 1955. It is considered an invasive agricultural pest, and a vigorous eradication campaign has reduced the affected area by 99% [from 450,000 acres (1,820 km2) to about 3,400 acres (14 km2)]. Biological control can be achieved by growing a Desmodium (tick-trefoil) undercrop (see push-pull technology). The trefoil can be used as green manure or animal fodder after the harvest.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Lamiales
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Family: Orobanchaceae
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Genus: Striga
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