Environmental Weeds in Sydney North

• Noxious Weeds
• Other Significant Environmental Weeds
• Weed Alerts

Weed control

• Hand removal techniques
• Biocontrol

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Turkey Rhubarb

Botanical Name: Acetosa sagittata
Noxious Weed Category:
CLASS 4 in most councils in Sydney North region


Turkey Rhubarb tubers
Photo: Adam Burrowes

 

Description:
 Native to South Africa, Turkey Rhubarb is a vigorous prostrate or climbing perennial herb to 5m long. Found in damp disturbed areas.

The bright green leaves are arrowhead shaped leaves and have a sharp lemony tang. Many underground tubers form as a series of small "potatoes" linked by thin strands.

Green-cream flowers arranged in branching clusters appear in spring gradually chaning to red.

Small clusters of 3-winged cream paper-like fruit turn brown with age. Each winged envelope contains one seed.

Dispersal:
Seed is spread by wind, and water.

Impact on Bushland:
Prolific seeder, regenerates from tubers if top growth is removed. Seeds often germinate under other vegetation and plant then climbs to reach light, smothering supporting plant.

Control:

Manual: Pull off flower heads before seed matures. Collect seed into a bag. Hold the bag under the seeds, as ripe seed falls easily
  Dig out tubers using a trowel. Tuber fragments left in the ground may grow.
  As major aim is to stop seed production, scraping stems and treating with a neat Glyphosate based product may not be fatal to the tubers, but may kill off top growth. This is useful if tubers are in inaccessible places
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.

Similar Species:
Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus) is an introduced climber with similar foliage but climbs with the help of tendrils. It has masses of pink flowers in summer but is not often grown in Sydney as it prefers a hotter climate.

Suggested Alternatives:

References: