Kleinia repens
Family
Asteraceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledonous composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Similar taxa
None. Also known in New Zealand as Senecio serpens G.B.Rowley
Flowering
Throught out the year
Flower colours
Yellow
Fruiting
Seed not formed.
Life cycle
Long-lived, perennial succulent herb. Reproduces asexually - viable seed not formed. Wind dispersed. Apparently only one clone exists in New Zealand, this is self incompatible so seed is not formed. Spread mainly through careless disposal of garden waste. An uncommon cultivation escape.
Year naturalised
1988
Origin
South Africa.
Reason for introduction
Horticultural.
Control techniques
Best buried at depth or allowed to fully dry out before being burnt (this is the preferred method of control).
Tolerances
Very drought resistant. Can tolerate salt water immersion for up to one month.
Etymology
repens: From Latin repere meaning to creep, means creeping
References and further reading
Johnson, A. T. and Smith, H. A (1986). Plant Names Simplified: Their pronunciation, derivation and meaning. Landsman Bookshop Ltd: Buckenhill, UK.