White shrimp plant, paper plume
Justicia betonica, Fam. Acanthaceae
Sub-shrub or soft perennial herb to 2m. Stems often with a purple tinge, may be rough to touch, and root at nodes.
| 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: | Acanthaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Opposite Simple, opposite broadly ovate to elliptical, 90-220 x 35-120mm, glabrous dark green above, pale below; margins slightly wavy. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Purple, Pink |
| Flower description: | Tubular 2-lipped, about 8mm in diameter; white, pink or purple, upper lip rounded, lower lip 3-lobed with dark veins and a white spot. Flowers surrounded by white bracts with prominent green veins, borne on terminal spikes, to 150mm long. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Brown, hairy 2-lobed club-shaped capsules, 8-10mm long, within pale bracts. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | South Africa |
| Notes: | Spread by: seeds, garden waste. Invades/threats: roadsides, creek areas, rainforest and woodlands; forming dense stands. Notes: garden escapee. Isolated naturalised populations have been identified near Proserpine, on the Pioneer River near Mirani, and the roadside north of Mackay. Tolerates shade. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
