Light blue snakeweed, Jamaica snakeweed
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Fam. Verbenaceae
Clumping perennial woody-based herb or sub-shrub to around 1m. Stems 4-angled and generally purplish.
| 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: | Verbenaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Opposite Simple, opposite or sometimes alternate, oval or lance-shaped, thick leathery often bluish-grey, 20-80mm long; margins toothed. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Blue, Purple, Violet |
| Flower description: | Tubular 5-lobed, blue to violet or purple, about 8mm diameter, borne in groups along stout snake-like terminal spikes up to 400 x 5mm. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Black, Brown, Purple |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Dry, enclosed in floral remnants, 3-7 x 2mm, purple, brown or black and splitting at maturity into two, 1-seeded segments. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Tropical and subtropical |
| Notes: | Spread by: seeds; contaminated soil and in contaminated pasture seed or fodder. Invades/threats: degraded pastures, cropland and disturbed or abandoned areas, woodland on any soil type. Notes: originally introduced as a garden ornamental now widespread and common throughout this region. Its presence usually indicates past disturbance; it spreads rapidly by seeds and is favoured by overgrazing, either by native or introduced animals. Not declared in Queensland although it is highly recommended that this weed be controlled to minimise agricultural and environmental damage. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
