Chrysanthemoides monilifera boneseed
South Africa
Flowers: July to October
Bushy upright shrub, very leafy, commonly 1-2m high but can be up to 3m.
Leaves: oval to
paddle shaped, smooth, up to 7.5cm long, rather fleshy. Edges shallowly
toothed. Seedling ans young leaves light green, soft with cobwebby down,
mature leaves darker, firmer.
Flowers: golden yellow daisy head with 4-8 oter ray petals
in loose clusters at branch tips
Fruit: firm berry with one bone-like stone. Green at first
becoming black when ripe, smaller than pea sized, in tight clusters of 4-8.
Roots: woody, shallow, no distinct tap root. May regrow if
cut.
Spread: Planted in
gardens, spreads to woodland. Forms dense stand (see photo above which shows
front edge of boneseed infestation in background and weeded area in
foreground.)
Seeds long lived in soil but will germinate after a fire or other major
distrubance. usually flowers in first year or two. Fruits eaten by birds and
mammals, especially foxes, and spread to new areas, Seed also spreads in
soil and runoff.
Removal: Begin in least weedy area. First handpullseedlings and plants up to a metre. Cut large plants near the base and swab immediately. Follow up by pulling regrowth and seedlings in subsequent years. Pulling soon after a fire is particularly successful. Possible biological control agents are being tested.