The Senecio genus comprises several native species, but also includes a common bushland weed; Senecio pterophorus (South African daisy).
The species name is pronounced terro-for-us and, as explained to me by Pat Clark (one of our Regional Coordinators), it is easy to remember because this...
Bushcarers may now be familiar with gorse (Ulex europaeus) - a particularly horrible weed. A drive into the Adelaide Hills will quickly show the many large areas of land that have been completely overrun by this invasive pest.
Gorse is a dense shrub, growing to about two metres tall. Flowering...
Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) is a large, dense, evergreen shrub that grows to 4m. It is often found growing at the base of Eucalypts in which birds have perched and defecated the seeds.
The leaves are a dark, glossy green while the underside is paler. The flowers (August to September)...
Sweet Pittosporum is spread by birds into good bush.
This is one rainforest species that got away into the bush of the Mount Lofty Ranges. Unfortunately, Sweet Pittosporum" (Pittosporum undulatum) is invading many areas of bush in high-rainfall areas of the Ranges. Its natural distribution...
Many Trees For Life Bushcare sites contain infestations of African boxthorn. This weed is one of the more satisfying weeds to eradicate. Recommended techniques are cutting and swabbing large boxthorns and removing by hand any small ones. Follow-up initial treatment to ensure that there is no regrowth...
Whilst this is quite an attractive shrub and sold in many nurseries across Australia, it is native to Victoria and a small part of New South Wales, where it occurs at a moderate altitude, on rocky sites or in areas with shallow soils.
The book, Native Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern...
This weed is easily confused with native pea shrubs and although colourful, it is a menace in the bush.
It has been planted in gardens and spread into woodland, especially in wetter gullies. Pods burst and scatter seeds which can be washed downhill or shifted in the soil. Seeds are long...
Galenia has a small conventional flower (white with pink tinge) to 3mm diameter and fine white hairs can be found on the leaf.
In South Australia there are many weeds that look like native plants and as bushcarers I am sure we have all come across our fair share of them.
It is often...
In Australia there are 1500 to 2000 introduced plant species in native bushland. In South Australia, as of 1991, there were 904 introduced plant species in native bushland. This represents 25% of this state's flora.
This species is native to the Canary Islands, off the north-west coast...
This tall shrub is another garden escapee, originally from North Africa and Spain. Adelaide's Mediterranean climate provides perfect conditions for it to flourish. It also occurs throughout the South East of South Australia. Its bright yellow pea shaped flowers create an attractive display from...
There are many different types of cotoneaster. In all there are 70 species that occur naturally from Europe to Asia.
Over time a few of these have become favoured garden plants. They are usually grown because they have bright red berries. Cotoneasters are in the Rosaceae family, which...
Boneseed is so common in parts of the Adelaide Hills that many people actually think it is a native plant. It has large fleshy leaves and yellow, daisy-like flowers.
Originally, this plant escaped from gardens and quickly became established in many parts of Australia.
How ...
Cotton bush, which grows up to one metre tall, is a stout woody bush with milky sap.
The seed pods are usually covered in soft spines.
It is a weed of open, grassy areas.
Monarch butterflies are often attracted to it.
Cotton bush is native to South Africa.
...
Website sponsors