Distribution and damage of alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides and its control

Alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb is regarded as an important alien noxious weed, which has become a major invader of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats since the eighties of the 20th century. The biological invasion of the pernicious weed not only leads to the extinction of native species, but also reduces the biodiversity where the weed occurs. Successful biological control of the deleterious weed in water has been achieved by using its natural enemies, but on land, herbicides, inter-specific competition, allelopathy, plant pathogens and mechanical or manual management, besides natural enemies, have been integrated to manage the weed. The distribution, damage and control strategy of this weed in China are reviewed in this paper.