Renu Bala* and Veenu Kaul, Department of Botany, University of Jammu-180006 (J&K), India.
*Corresponding author-renuverma39@gmail.com
Abstract: The genus Emex is represented by two weedy species- E. australis and E. spinosa. The two have spread to different places around the world widening thereby the range of their distribution. Of the two, E. australis is more obnoxious on account of its hard spiny seeds which remain dormant for years leading to the formation of persistent seed banks in the soil. Though the reports of the two species in India date back to mid- 1980’s little work has been carried out despite the fact that E. australis has spread to different parts of J&K. It is quite likely to assume an aggressive status in near future and may interfere with major crops like wheat as it has already done in Australia. Keeping this impending problem in mind the authors besides initiating research have consolidated the past and present work on this species.
Keywords: Emex australis, E. spinosa, Australia, weed, wheat.