I’M A WEED

Dog Rose/ Briar

Dog Rose / Briar Rose

Rosa canina / R. rubiginosa

Variable, deciduous, spiny, scrambling shrub 1-5 m high. Stems are covered with small, sharp, hooked spines, and leaves have 5-7 leaflets. Flowers are usually pale pink, but can vary from deep pink to white. They are 4-6 cm in diameter with five petals, and mature into an oval 1.5-2 cm red-orange fruit.

Dog Rose/ Briar

Threat / Problem
• Can form dense impenetrable thickets which out-compete native vegetation and reduce bushland biodiversity.
• Chemicals in the seed inhibit the germination of native plants.
• Provides harbour for foxes and rabbits.

Spread
• Spread by water and movement of soil, and by birds and foxes that feed on the fruit.

Control
• Best in Spring, before flowering and seed set. Hand pulling effective for small plants, herbicide spray for larger plants.

Dog Rose/ Briar

GROW ME INSTEAD

Native Hibiscus

Native Hibiscus

Alyogyne huegelii

The Native Hibiscus is distantly related to the hibiscus. A fast growing shrub to 2.5 m high. Bright green leaves are deeply lobed, up to 7 cm long. The flowers, usually mauve to purple, sometimes white, are large (up to 12 cm in diameter) and have five, slightly overlapping petals. Flowers continue to open throughout summer and autumn. Drought tolerant, prefers full sun and grows well in a range of soils with good drainage. Responds well to late winter pruning. Regular pruning will stop it becoming too leggy.

Found in understorey of coastal and inland mallee.

Native Hibiscus