Coral berry, turkey berry
Rivina humilis, Fam. Petiveriaceae prev. Phytolaccaceae
Erect perennial sub-shrub or herb to about 1m
| 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, Shrub |
| Family: | Petiveriaceae prev. Phytolaccaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Alternate Alternate, simple, lance shaped, 4-100 x 10-30mm, tapering to a point, bright green, venation on upper surface slightly depressed, margins entire or toothed. Leaves emit an unpleasant smell when damaged or crushed. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Pink, Green |
| Flower description: | Small, green, white or pink, 2-3mm long, borne in axillary or terminal racemes. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Red |
| Fruit: | Fleshy |
| Fruit description: | Bright red round fleshy berries, 3-4 x 3-4mm, each containing one brown or black seed, 2-3mm long. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | Toxic if ingested |
| Origin: | Tropical America |
| Notes: | Spread by: birds, water, contaminated soil and garden waste. Invades/threats: disturbed rainforest, vine thickets, beach scrub, creek bank communities. Notes: able to grow in shade therefore can establish under rainforest canopy where it often forms large colonies. Taints milk if eaten by dairy cattle. Berries toxic to humans. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
