Bloomipedia
Billygoat weed (Ageratum conyzoides)
Photo: Tyler Bishop via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Billygoat weed

Ageratum conyzoides

Not native to Hawaii

Billygoat weed is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In Hawaii it's most often seen in bloom in January–December.

12states
789HI sightings*
1,039U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Hawaii

Quick look

Ageratum conyzoides is native to Tropical America, especially Brazil, and is an invasive weed in many other regions. It is an herb that is 0.5–1 m. high, with ovate leaves 2–6 cm long, and flowers are white to mauve.

  • It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a annual, perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 12 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as not native to Hawaii. NatureServe
  • In Hawaii, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in January–December. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 789 research-grade sightings of it in Hawaii, ranking #57 among the 105 flowers on our Hawaii list. iNaturalist

Billygoat weed gift ideas

Handmade billygoat weed gifts from independent makers.

When does it bloom?

In Hawaii, most flowering sightings come in January–December.

Flowering records by month in Hawaii (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (53 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Hawaii
Not listed Not on Hawaii threatened and endangered plants (HAR 13-107; the state list follows the federal list), DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Hawaii. HAR 13-107
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records billygoat weed in 12 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina.

Hawaii counties with USDA records: Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui.

More Hawaii flowers

Sources