Scientific name: Gomphocarpus physocarpus

Description

• Small, erect and branching shrub growing to 2 metres
• Stems covered with short soft hairs
• Narrow leaves 3.5 to 12 centimetres long and 5 to 16 millimetres wide with milky sap
• Clusters of white flowers with star to like centres
• Balloon to like fruits, with soft spines, containing many black seeds with silky tufts of hairs.

Problem

A poisonous white milky sap exudes from damaged stems and leaves.

Weed status - environmental weed

Environmental weeds are not listed under the Act and there is no regulation for their control.

Although, not declared, these weeds do cause serious environmental harm and where practical, should be managed.

Control method

Foliar Spray

Herbicide is diluted with water at a specific rate, and sprayed over the foliage to point of runoff.

Most suited to shrubs, grasses and dense vines less than six metres tall.

Manual and Mechanical Removal

Manual control uses hands or hand tools to control weeds.

This can be an effective control as it can minimize soil disturbance and can instantly remove the entire weed.

Mechanical control suits larger infestations, using power tools and machinery to reduce the bulk of the problem.

Mechanical control can include slashing, mowing, dozing, harvesting, and felling.

Herbicide warning

Before using any herbicide always read the label carefully and ensure that the chemical is registered for use on the target weed. All herbicides must be applied strictly in accordance with the directions on the label.