Red- head cotton bush
Asclepias curassavica, Fam. Apocynaceae
Erect perennial herb with copious milky sap, growing 1-1.5m. Stems green at the base and purplish toward the top.
| 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: | Apocynaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Opposite Opposite, 70-100 x about 12mm, dark green, tapering at both ends, growing mainly from the upper stems. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Yellow, Red |
| Flower description: | Bright red with yellow centres, borne in terminal umbels. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Narrow follicles tapered at each end and about 70 x 12mm. Seeds small, very light, tan to brown, 6-7mm long, with tufts of long, white silky hairs. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | Toxic or irritant to domestic pets |
| Origin: | West Indies |
| Notes: | Spread by: wind dispersed seed Invades/threats: Disturbed or unmanaged areas, uncultivated pastures and along fence lines. Notes: probably introduced as a garden ornamental in 1880’s, now common in coastal and sub-coastal areas. Poisonous to stock but rarely eaten. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
