The Daily Times of Pakistan is reporting that Islamabad is undergoing an invasion...of toxic weeds. Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus), an herbaceous plant native to Central and South America, has established itself throughout Pakistan over the past 50 years. Given its propensity to invade agricultural areas, its toxicity if eaten by animals, and its ability to cause a rash wherever it comes into contact with human skin, Parthenium sounds like bad news. The article cites recently published research from two biologists at Punjab University...for more information about Parthenium in Pakistan, you can try here (abstract only, but there is an email address if you want to request a reprint).
This marks the first ISW reference to Parthenium, and more importantly, the first mention of invasive species in Pakistan.
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