Tobacco weed
Elephantopus mollis, Fam. Asteraceae
Robust fast growing perennial herb, 30-150cm tall, with thick stiff, more-or-less straight stems.
| Weed Category: |
Restricted invasive plants Category 3 Plants declared invasive under the Biosecurity Act 2014, that are present in QLD.
Not to be distributed or disposed of.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Herb |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Basal Simple, initially a basal rosette becoming alternate along the stem, oblong to obovate, 100-200 x 20-50mm, rough and finely hairy above, densely hairy and resinous below. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White |
| Flower description: | Heads of many small white tubular flowers cupped by 3 leaf-like bracts; numerous heads borne on tall branched sprays. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Black, Brown, Grey |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | ‘Seeds’ brown to greyish-black about 3mm long, each with 5 fine straight white bristle-like hairs, 3-4.5mm long; numerous. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Tropical America |
| Notes: | Spread by: ‘seeds’: running water, contaminated feed, coats of animals, contaminated machinery and wind for short distances. Invades/threats: permanent pastures on fertile soils. Notes: introduced as an ornamental. To date only recorded from a few locations in this region. New outbreaks should be reported immediately so that appropriate control measures can be undertaken. Aggressive and very competitive; seed banks build up in soil; able to germinate and grow through even thick healthy pastures. Hairs on leaves and stems cause irritation if touched. Category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014, it must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment without a permit. The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO). |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
