Justicia betonicais the final introduced weed I photographed while on assignment in Hawaii for Han

Justicia betonica is the final introduced weed I photographed while on assignment in Hawaii for Hana Hou! This plant, commonly known as Squirrel’s Tail, is native to southwest Asia and eastern Africa but has been introduced throughout the world, particularly in tropical environments such as in South America southeast Asia, Australia, and of course Hawaii. The light-colored bracts are eye-catching, though the actual flower is pale purple to pink and less conspicuous. Altogether the look of it drew my attention long enough to make a collection in the same area as the previously posted Ageratina and Medinilla. Though listed only as naturalized and not invasive, this plant spreads readily by seed, and given how much of the world in which it can naturally be found, it certainly has potential to become invasive by outcompeting natives and creating monocultures. I still find it a curiously charming plant. -- source link

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