Boneseed - introduced (*Chrysanthemoides monilifera)
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family).
Native of South Africa.
Occurrence: Scattered localities in Central Victoria. It is moderately abundant on the Nuggetty Range, Maldon, and in parts of the Kalimna Reserve, Castlemaine.
Identification:
- it has bright yellow daisy flowers, which are about 2.5 cm in diameter
- it grows to a large shrub
- the leaves are green and glossy and coarsely toothed
- the leaves often have scattered "cobwebs" on the surface
- the seeds are large (about 5 mm) and black. The dried seeds are bony.
Boneseed is a weed of national significance, and Regionally Prohibited in North-central Victoria. In parts of Victoria (e.g. near the coast, and at the You Yangs) it is a major environmental weed. Seeds are dispersed by birds and animals. The seed remains viable for many years.
Photos: 1: Leaves with cobwebs. The leaves are slightly fleshy, toothed, and pointed.
2: Hand pulling Boneseed. You Yangs 1982. Boneseed forms dense thickets that swamp native vegetation.
3: Bonseed, Portland. Boneseed is a major weed in parts of Victoria's coastal vegetation.
4, 5, 6: Bonseed. Castlemaine. Boneseed has been pulled on sight at Kalimna for over 30 years. The bony seeds are viable for many years, which makes eradication difficult.