Scientific Name
Soliva sessilis
Synonyms
Soliva pterosperma
Common Names
bondii, jo-jo, bindyi, lawn burweed
Origin
South America
Family
Asteraceae
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a common weed of lawns. It is a small, prostrate, rosette-forming annual which may have branched stems. The branched stems may root at the nodes and form additional rosettes.
Leaves are basal and in clusters on short stems forming a rosette. Leaves are deeply-lobed, sheathing at base, with sparse hairs especially on lower surface.
A single flower head forms in the centre of each rosette.
Fruit is a burr with short, sharp curved spines found in the centre of each rosette.
Other plants easily confused with this plant
S. anthemifolia and S. stolonifera are easily confused with S. pterosperma. S. anthemifolia (dwarf jojo or onehunga) has soft spines and rarely has stolons (horizontal above ground stem which roots at the nodes). S. stolonifera does form stolons and is distinguished by its globular flower heads.
Sources & References
"Weeds - an illustrated botanical guide to weeds of Australia" by B. A. Auld and R. W. Medd
"Plantnet FloraOnline"
http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
Prepared by Justin KY Chu, July 2005
Updated by Bev Debrincat, September, 2010