Description:
Originating in South Africa, Bitou Bush and Boneseed are shrubs to 2m.
There are two sub-species, differentiated by their leaf and the berry-like
black fruit:
Bitou Bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata),
a thicket forming coastal dune variety with rounded leaves; and Boneseed
(Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera), a close relative of Bitou
Bush, is an erect, upright plant with coarsely toothed leaves.
Golden yellow, daisy flowers appearing mostly in spring to early summer.
Fruit is a purplish black, bony berry occurring in clusters and ripening in
summer, 6 to 8mm. Seed stock remains viable in the soil for up to 7 yers.
Dispersal:
Spread by fruit-eating birds.
Impact on Bushland:
Bitou Bush is the most significant environmental weed on the NSW coast. It can
form large thickets smothering indigenous plants, threatening both indigenous
plant and animal survival. Bitou Bush mainly invades dunes but it also invades
headlands and rainforest. Boneseed is causing a similar degree of concern in southern
states. It invades headlands, dunes and bushland.
Control:
| Manual: |
Bitou Bush and Boneseed both have a shallow root system, so small seedlings
can be easily handpulled.
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Larger shrubs are easy to dig out, but all roots must be removed (be careful
not to de-stabilise sand) |
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Responds readily to the cut
and paint technique with a undiluted glyphosate-based
product. Each stem or runner must be treated. It can be left on site as mulch
if during seeding stage. |
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Fire kills adult plants but seeds last many years in the soil, often germinating
after fire as a carpet of seedlings. |
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Follow up work is necessary for eradication. |
| Chemical: |
Please contact your local control authority for
advice on chemical control. |
Similar Species:
Suggested Alternatives:
References:
Attack of the Killer Weeds, Coastcare
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