Blue billygoat weed
Ageratum houstonianum, Fam. Asteraceae
Erect or semi-prostrate annual or short-lived perennial herb 0.3-1m. Stems and leaves softly hairy with a characteristic odour when crushed.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Herb |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Alternate Opposite at base, later alternate, triangular shaped with heart-shaped to square base, regular rounded teeth along margin. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Blue, Mauve |
| Flower description: | Blue- mauve, small fluffy heads; borne in terminal clusters. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Brown fruit, 'seeds' black, about 2mm long, tipped by a ring of chaff-like scales. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | Toxic or irritant to domestic pets |
| Origin: | Asia |
| Notes: | Spread by: wind, water. Invades/threats: weeds of disturbed areas. Cause harvesting difficulties in cane crops. Ageratum conyzoides is the more common species in this region then A. houstonianum which has seldom been recorded. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
