Be On The Alert For African Boxthorn

Murrumbidgee Council has urged residents to be on the look out for African boxthorn.

Dealing with pesty weeds is something every gardener is familiar with.

Successful weed control requires continual follow-up control to ensure there is no regrowth or new seedlings emerging.

The following methods of control are usually successful.

• Physical removal;

• Mechanical removal whilst the ground is moist is the perfect time to pull and remove from under trees to prevent further spread to properties and roadsides. Follow up the next season with a spray program for good management;

• Chemical control (download the free WeedWise App);

• Treat mature plants and monitor and follow-up to suppress growth;

• Kill young weeds before they are two years old to prevent seed setting; and Good pasture management.

African boxthorn is a fast-growing, woody, thorny shrub that can grow up to 5 metres high and 3 metres wide.

Plants sometimes drop their leaves and appear dead during drought or in winter, with the following characteristics:

• Leaves: bright green, oval, smooth and fleshy and grow in clusters along the branchlets;

• Flowers: white to purple with five petals, 1 cm in diameter, purple or pale blue markings, fragrant, present during spring and summer but can occur year round;

• Fruit: berrylike, green when young, orange-red when ripe, 5 to 10 mm in diameter containing 20 to 70 seeds, usually present in autumn but can be present year round.

• Seeds: light brown to yello, irregular flat shape, smooth with raised spots, 2.5 mm long and 1.5 mm wide. Seeds can germinate any time of the year with adequate moisture and warmth; and

• Stems: rigid, very branched, thorns up to 15 cm long on the main stem and stout thorns on ends of branches.

• Topics:

• The Environment
• Local Council
• Gardening