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Boneseed
Botanical name: Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera
Noxious Weed Category: Class 3
Boneseed Regional Management Plan
Boneseed flowers with ripe berries Boneseed thicket in Ku-ring-gai
Photo: Ku-ring-gai Council Photo: Ku-ring-gai Council
Description
Originating in South Africa, Boneseed is a shrub to 2m. It is a close relative of Bitou Bush, and 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 years.
Distinguishing between Boneseed and Bitou.
Dispersal
Spread by fruit-eating birds.
Control
Manual:
- Boneseed both has a shallow root system, so small seedlings can be easily handpulled.
- Larger shrubs are easy to dig out, but all roots must be removed (be careful not to de-stabilise sand).
- 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.
- Fire kills adult plants but seeds last many years in the soil, often germinating after fire as a carpet of seedlings.
- Follow up work is necessary for eradication.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.
References
Attack of the Killer Weeds, Coastcare.