How or when the plant was introduced into South Africa remains unknown. Mature florets each produce a single-seeded dry fruit (achene) with a tuft of brown hairs (pappus) that promote wind dispersal. A long, protruding style from each floret gives the flowerhead a fluffy appearance. The showy pink flowerheads (inflorescences) are produced in dense clusters at the ends of the aerial stems, and look like bright-pink powderpuffs.Įach flowerhead, measuring 15 mm long × 25 mm wide, consists of hundreds of tiny, star-shaped florets (individual 'flowers') surrounded by purple bracts (brightly coloured, leaf-like scales). In spring, shoots arise from, and in autumn die back to, the rootstock. The plant has a short woody rootstock that ends in thick tuber-like perennial roots. Leaves are scattered along the length of the stem but clustered at the base to form a rosette. The stems and leaves are covered with rough, bristly hairs. Pompom weed is a perennial, erect herb up to 1.5 m high. During winter the plant is not visible above-ground. This weed displaces native species, reducing both the biological diversity and carrying capacity of wetlands and veld. The plant initially establishes itself in disturbed sites such as roadsides, but then invades natural grasslands, open savanna and wetlands.

Infestations become conspicuous when the plants are in flower between December and March, transforming the veld from green to pink.

It is rapidly becoming the most serious threat to the conservation of grasslands in South Africa. Pompom weed ( Campuloclinium macrocephalum (Less.) DC.) is a South American herb belonging to the daisy family, Asteraceae. Pompom weed ( Campuloclinium macrocephalum) (Asteraceae)

Pompom grass