Abstract: Mechanism and control of the invasion of alligator weeds (Alternanthera philoxeroides) was discussed. It was concluded that the successful invasion of alligator weeds is not only associated with its specific biological characteristics, such as vegetative propagation, high phenotypic plasticity, extensive adaptability, strong stress resistance and so on, but also is related to invasibility of the habitat it invaded, intensive human disturbance, lack of natural enemies and global climate change. It is essential to integrate physical, chemical and biological means into its control strategy, intensify inter-regional management and adopt time- and site-specific optimal measures for the control. Specially, more attention should be paid to the research on competition relationship between the invasive alligator weeds and native species, for better use of the latter to control invasion of the former.

Key words: Alternanthera philoxeroides, biological invasion, biological characteristics, control