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Overview
Soliva spp. is a genus of small annual herbs in the family Asteraceae, native to temperate South America and naturalized widely as a lawn and turf weed. Plants form low, prostrate rosettes that hug the ground at 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) tall and spread 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) across, with stems radiating from a central point. The leaves are finely divided into narrow segments, fern-like and 0.5-2 inches (1-5 cm) long. Tiny stalkless flower heads sit in the leaf axils near the centre of the rosette, greenish and without rays. As the seed sets, each head hardens into a cluster of spine-tipped achenes; the sharp burs can pierce skin and bare feet. Plants run from autumn or winter germination through spring, then die as soils warm and dry. The genus tolerates poor, compacted soils and short mowing, which helps it persist in lawns. It sets abundant seed before the burs are noticed.
Native Range
Soliva spp. is native to temperate South America, including Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. It has naturalized in North America, Europe, Australia, and other warm-temperate regions, mainly in lawns, parks, and disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
Soliva spp. is treated as a weed of lawns, turf, parks, and amenity grass rather than a cultivated plant. It has no standard garden use, and management focuses on dense turf cover and removal of plants before the burs set. Bare or thin lawn areas are the main sites of establishment.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 3"
Width/Spread4" - 10"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from late winter into spring, generally August to November in the southern hemisphere and February to May in the northern hemisphere. The greenish heads are small and stalkless, opening low in the rosette. Seed and spiny burs follow within a few weeks.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Soliva spp. needs no cultivation and grows as a cool-season annual weed in full sun to light shade. It germinates in autumn or winter on bare or thin turf, grows over the cooler months, and matures seed in spring. It tolerates poor, compacted, and sandy soils and persists under regular mowing because the low rosette sits below the blade. Dense, healthy turf and the closing of bare patches reduce its spread. Plants die back naturally as soils warm and dry in late spring.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Where control is wanted, plants are pulled or treated before the burs harden in spring. Mowing alone does not remove the low rosettes because they sit beneath the blade.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring