• Latin name
• Family
• Common name(s)
• Synonym(s)
• Geographical distribution
• Morphology
• Biology and ecology
• Agricultural importance
• Management
• Selected references
• Contributors

Caesulia axillaris

Caesulia axillaris has white/light purple inflorescence in leaf axils (IRRI).

Latin name

Caesulia axillaris Roxb.

Family

None

Common name(s)

None

Synonym(s)

None

Geographical distribution

South and Southeast Asia: Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. 

Morphology

A creeping to ascending annual herb, 15—40—cm—tall.

Stem: rounded, smooth, and branched.

Leaf: alternate, basal part clasping around the stem, lance-shaped, margins saw-toothed; basal portion expanded, forming a cup-like receptacle for flower.

Inflorescence: heads borne in leaf axils and without stalk; florets numerous, light purple.

Fruit: wedge-formed achene, somewhat four-sided.

Biology and ecology

Grows in moist areas, sides of drains and canals, and lowland rice fields. 

Agricultural importance

Reported as an important weed of rice in India and Bangladesh: uncontrolled growth in rice can reduce grain yield up to 33%.

Management

Cultural control: hand weeding and tillage in transplanted rice.

Chemical control: herbicide treatments reported to control this weed are preemergence application of anilofos followed by 2,4-D at 20 days after transplanting; metsulfuron methyl at 25 days after transplanting.

Selected references

Brar Lakhwinder S, Kolar JS, Brar LS. 1995. Efficacy of naproanilide, bentazone and metsulfuron against Caesulia axillaris Roxb. in transplanted rice. Indian J. Weed Sci. 27(3 & 4):127-130.

Brar Lakhwinder S, Kolar JS, Brar LS. 1995. Critical period of competition between Caesulia axillaris Roxb. and transplanted rice. Indian J. Weed Sci. 27(3 & 4):154-157.

Brar Lakhwinder S, Kolar JS, Brar LS. 1997. Chemical control of Caesulia axillaris in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa). Indian J. Agron. 42(1):82-85.

Moody K. 1989. Weeds reported in rice in South and Southeast Asia. Manila (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 442 p.

Roxburgh W. 1832. Flora indica or descriptions of Indian plants. New Delhi (India): Today and Tomorrow's Printers and Publishers. 763 p.

Walia US, Brar LS, Dhaliwal BK. 1999. Studies on the control of Caesulia axillaris Roxb. in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.). Indian J. Weed Sci. 31(3 & 4):158-160.

Contributors

JLA Catindig, RT Lubigan, and DE Johnson