About Erigeron sumatrensis Retz.
When fully grown, during summer or autumn, Erigeron sumatrensis reaches a height of one to two metres. Its flowers are white, rather than purple-pink. Its leaves resemble dandelion leaves, but are longer and thinner, with a colour and texture more similar to primrose leaves. Its seeding heads are similar to dandelion seeding heads, but are straw coloured and smaller in size. This species has begun to show resistance to herbicides in some countries. It is believed to originate from South America, but is now naturalised across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. It presents a significant threat to wildlife conservation areas and other reserves. Among non-native former Conyza species in Britain, it is the second most abundant, outnumbered only by Erigeron canadensis. In Britain, it is most commonly found in London and the South East of England. It was first recorded in London in 1984 by Brian Wurzell, and was first noted at Saint-Sozy in France’s Dordogne region in 2006.
