Is one of Australia’s worst weeds growing on your property?

It’s the time of year when many weeds are actively growing – so the perfect time to undertake weed control on your property (actively growing weeds are easier to
kill).
Weeds can cause major problems on pasture and bushland blocks. They have the potential to spread quickly within and beyond the property, into local waterways and into our fragile bushlands.
One weed which is becoming of increasing concern is Boneseed, a South African shrub which was introduced into Australia in the late 1800’s. It has spread from gardens to become a damaging environmental weed.
Luckily for Western Australia – Boneseed hasn’t done the environmental damage it has in the east. However, it is a declared plant – meaning that landholders are required to eradicate it from their properties. Boneseed was recently identified in Bedfordale – growing along the Neerigen Brook.
Boneseed is an erect, woody, evergreen shrub growing 2-3 m with fleshy leaves that have a white cottony down. The bright yellow daisy-like fl owers have fi ve to eight petals growing in a cluster at the branch tips. Flowers appear late winter to early spring. The good news is Boneseed is relatively easy to kill, and if you think it is growing on your property, help to identify the weed is available the Department of Agriculture.