NQ DRY TROPICS WEED FREE pg . 57
MOTHER OF MILLIONS Bryophyllum delagoense and B . daigremontianum x B . delagoense ; Syn . Bryophyllum tubiflorum and B . daigremontianum x B . tubiflorum
DESCRIPTION
This perennial plant is erect , smooth , fleshy and succulent ; growing to 1 metre or more tall .
Leaves are boat shaped , elongated with serrations , or cylindrical .
Flowers are tall spikes in winter . Its bell shaped flowers are orange-red in colour and form a cluster at the top of each stem . It flowers during winter and spring in the months of June to November .
Habitat the plant establishes well in many soil types . It can be found in leaf litter or other debris , on shallow soils in shady woodlands , and often grows on roadsides , along fence lines and around old rubbish dumps .
Weed characteristics is highly toxic to stock and difficult to eradicate .
Dispersal it produces small plantlets along the edges of the leaves which drop readily , develop roots and establish quickly to form a new colony . It can spread from these areas , especially in flood , and establishes if pastures are run down . It is adapted to dry conditions and can survive long periods of drought .
BIOSECURITY MATTER
Restricted . This species is Category 3 Restricted matter under Queensland Legislation .
HOW TO ACT
Mechanical treatment of this weed is not recommended as it can reproduce from broken pieces of plant . There are several herbicides approved for use on this weed and foliar spraying can be very effective . Combine foliar spraying with an effective fire regime and control can be achieved ; however this weed often grows in rocky areas where fire can ’ t penetrate . Isolated infestations or individual plants can be hand pulled with care to be taken to remove all plant material .
FORBS MOTHER OF MILLIONS