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Striga forbesii

Species category

Weed

Common name

giant mealie witchweed

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Irregularly obovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 0.3–0.5 mm
  • Width 0.2–0.3 mm
  • Thickness 0.1–0.2 mm

Color

Dark brown

Texture

Glossy with many longitudinal ridges

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is on narrow end.

Identification notes

Ridges are large and finely tuberculateTuberculate:
Having small pimple-like protuberances.
 on their rims.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Hawaii
Federal

Learn more about Striga spp. on ITP's Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules tool.

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Orobanchaceae

Valid name

Striga forbesii Benth.

Striga forbesii.  True seeds with ridges that are large and finely tuberculate on ridge rims. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Striga forbesii. True seeds with ridges that are large and finely tuberculate on ridge rims. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Striga forbesii.  True seeds with ridges that are large and finely tuberculate on ridge rims. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Striga forbesii. True seeds with ridges that are large and finely tuberculate on ridge rims. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.