Parthenium hysterophorus
- Native Region: Parthenium is native to Central America, especially Mexico and the Caribbean.
- Distribution in India: It has spread across almost all parts of India. It is commonly seen along roadsides, railway tracks, abandoned lands, and in agricultural fields. States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh are among the worst affected.
- Remarks: Parthenium was accidentally introduced into India in the 1950s with imported wheat from the USA. Also known as “Congress grass” or “Gajar ghaas,” it is a fast-spreading invasive plant that severely affects human health by causing skin allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems. It also impacts livestock, reduces crop productivity, and destroys native vegetation due to its allelopathic properties (releasing toxins into the soil to suppress other plants).
