Weed Identification: Boneseed

This week for Weed ID Wednesday we are going to learn how to identify & manage Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera). Boneseed is considered a weed of national significance. Originally from South Africa, it typically grows about two metres tall but can reach as tall as ten metres. It is a woody shrub and can be identified by its bright yellow daisy-like flowers, alternately arranged green oval-shaped leaves and berries that change from green to black depending on maturity. Boneseed spreads rapidly and responds well to disturbance, meaning it can often appear after fire or where other plants are unable to grow. A mature Boneseed can produce as many as 50,000 seeds which can remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years! This makes it extremely difficult to eradicate as it requires follow up management.

To manage Boneseed, you can either pull out the plant roots and all or cut the plant at the base as close to the soil as possible and apply a registered herbicide. Due to their prolific seed spreading ability, private landowners on the Mornington Peninsula play a large role in the eradication of Boneseed and the conservation of native flora, particularly those living on properties bordering reserves & National Parks. If you have Boneseed growing on your property and would like to eradicate it and replace it with a native alternative, we recommend Coast Beard Heath (Leucopogon parviflorus) and rough coprosma (Coprosma hirtella). The Shire Nurseries are a great place to buy Indigenous plants to fill your gardens with!