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In Australia, P. hysterophorus occurs in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. In Queensland, an area of about 170,000 sq. km between Injune and Greenvale, receiving between 1000 and 500mm rain annually, is heavily infested with parthenium weed (see map). Scattered and roadside infestations occur over at least twice this area but are controlled immediately when found. In New South Wales, roadside infestations are constantly occurring along the roads leading out of Queensland, as far south as Narrandera on the Newell Highway. These are destroyed in an active eradication campaign, but in Moree Shire, the infestations are so numerous that the situation is becoming critical. In the Northern Territory, parthenium weed occurs along a stretch of the Roper River but has not spread significantly from this. P. hysterophorus could grow in all States of Australia, but is unlikely to become a major problem in winter-rainfall areas. The plant will grow on a wide range of soil types ranging from sand to heavy clays, but favours the latter. It is likely to grow in any area with a summer rainfall greater than 500mm/annum.
Parthenium weed also occurs in Taiwan, southern China, the Pacific Islands, and India (Navie et al 1996) and has recently spread to East and South Africa.
Distribution of Parthenium hysterophorus in Queensland
Distribution of Parthenium hysterophorus in Australia
Distribution of Parthenium hysterophorus World-Wide
For a more recent, detailed map of the parthenium distribution in Queensland, contact Magda Kuiken at the Queensland Department of Natural Resources (magda.kuiken@dnr.qld.gov.au)