Spiny spider flower
Cleome aculeata, Fam. Cleomaceae prev. Capparaceae
Prickly-stemmed, erect, branched annual herb, 20-60cm.
| 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: | Cleomaceae prev. Capparaceae |
| Leaf: | Compound Alternate Alternate, palmately dissected, lower leaves trifoliolate, reducing to a simple leaflet above. Leaflets oblong to obovate, 20-35 x 10-18mm, thin textured with clear glands and hairs; stalks to 45mm long. Stipules 2 short conical, recurved spines. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White |
| Flower description: | White, 5-10mm long, borne in few-flowered racemes. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Green |
| Fruit: | Fleshy |
| Fruit description: | Green, fleshy, erect, knobbly narrow cylindrical capsules, 30-60 x 3mm. Seeds numerous, resembling flattened snail shells, yellowish 2.5mm diameter. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Mexico, South America |
| Notes: | Spread by: seeds probably spread by water, contaminated soil and in garden waste. Invades: creek banks, roadsides, rainforest margins, pastures and gardens. May compete with young cane. Notes: known populations in this region occur between Mackay and Proserpine. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
