Trees & Shrubs Weed profiles & Native alternatives
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I’M A WEED
African Boxthorn
African Boxthorn
Lycium ferocissimum
Erect, very spiny shrub to 5 m with spreading, drooping branches, and bright green smooth, fleshy, clustered oval leaves. Small white fragrant flowers form mainly during summer and fruit are orange-red globular and fleshy.
Threat / Problem
• Can form dense impenetrable thickets.
• Provides harbour for animal pests such as foxes and rabbits.
• Invades disturbed native vegetation.
Spread
• Reproduces from seed.
• Spread mainly by birds and foxes that feed on the fruit.
Control
• Best during Autumn, Winter and early Spring, before flowering.
African Boxthorn
GROW ME INSTEAD
Coast Bearded Heath
Coast Bearded Heath
Leucopogon parviflorus
Erect shrub or small tree, 1-5 m high with dense foliage and clusters of small fragrant white flowers over most of the year. Fruit ripens to a bright white fleshy drupe which attracts a wide range of birds. Common in coastal and near coastal eucalypt woodlands, open scrub and heathlands on sand dunes.
Coast Bearded Heath
OR GROW ME
Boobialla
Boobialla
Myoporum insulare
Attractive spreading shrub 1-3 m high bright green, thick, fleshy leaves often with serrated edges. Clusters of small white flowers, mainly from August to October are followed by fleshy fruits which ripen to a bluish-purple and are eaten by many birds including emus that help to disperse the seed.
Glossy green leaves and dark purple fruit make this an attractive garden plant, good for hedges and useful as windbreak. Fleshy, waxy leaves makes it salt tolerant and fire retardant.
Boobialla
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