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Striga aspera

Species category

Weed

Common name

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 0.3–0.4 mm
  • Width 0.1–0.3 mm
  • Thickness 0.1–0.3 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 conspicuous and tuberculateTuberculate:
Having small pimple-like protuberances.
.

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 aspera (Willd.) Benth.

Synonyms

Euphrasia aspera Willd.
Buchnera aspera (Willd.) Schumach. & Thonn.

Striga aspera. True seeds with the hilum on the narrow end. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Striga aspera. True seeds with the hilum on the narrow end. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Striga aspera. True seeds with the hilum on the narrow end. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Striga aspera. True seeds with the hilum on the narrow end. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.