Sphenoclea zeylanica, called chickenspike, gooseweed, and wedgewort, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the genus Sphenoclea, native to Africa, Madagascar, tropical and subtropical Asia, and Australia. [3]

Growing habits: Erect annual or perennial herb. Root anatomy: Fibrous and fleshy roots, aerenchyma when growing in water. Leaf anatomy: Alternately arranged, variable in size, elliptic in shape, margins entire, base cuneate. Reproduction: Dense cylindrical terminal spike, corolla 5-lobed, petals yellowish to whitish.

Gooseweed Scientific name: Sphenoclea zeylanica Synonym: Chickenspike Photo courtesy of IRRI and University of Queensland Habitat Irrigated rice fields, swamps, and stagnant waters Affected crops Mostly irrigated rice Description The stem is erect, branched, smooth, and hollow. The leaves are smooth and spoon-shaped and grow opposite each other.

This datasheet on Sphenoclea zeylanica covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Further Information. Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn. Gaertnera pangati Retz. Rapinia herbacea Lour.

Gooseweed is reported to cause yield loss of 25—50% in rice. Young plants and tips of older plants are steamed and eaten as a vegetable in Indonesia.

Gooseweed is an annual plant with stems that are often much-branched, growing 7 - 150cm tall

Key words: Dispersal, gooseweed, morphology, Sphenoclea, Sphenocleaceae, taxonomy. INTRODUCTION Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertner is widely distributed aquatic weed in tropical to warm temperate areas around the world. The species is native to the Eastern Hemisphere, ranging from China southward into Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, westward

Sphenoclea zeylanica is an invasive aquatic and semi-aquatic weed that is widespread in moist weedy habitats across tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Herbaceous annual weed, reproducing by seeds; seeds usually dormant and germination is initiated by light. Flowers throughout the year and sets fruit. Found in wet ground and prefers stagnant water; widespread. Reported to cause yield loss of 25—50% in rice. Young plants and tips of older plants are steamed and eaten as a vegetable in Indonesia.

Sphenoclea zeylanica is a common weed of rice fields and other wet disturbed sites in the coastal prairies of southern Louisiana and southeastern Texas. It occurs sporadically in other southeastern states, and its dis­persal is correlated with rice agriculture.