I’M A WEED

Polygala

Polygala

Polygala myrtifolia / P. myrtifolia var. grandiflora

Erect shrubs, 1.5-4 m high. Leaves are dense, oval, growing very close to stems. Pinkish-purple pea-like flowers, grouped at ends of branchlets. Flowers occur on the ends of leafy branches almost all the year round. Fruit is a flat, almost circular capsule to 1 cm wide, containing 2 seeds about 0.4 cm long. P. m. var. grandiflora is a much stronger species. Flowers are larger, and the longer tapering leaves are darker green.

Threat / Problem
• Serious environmental weed that forms dense thickets.
• Increased fire risk due to high flammability and increased fuel load of dense thickets.
• Produces prolific quantities of seed that can remain viable in the soil for many (3-10) years.
• Germination stimulated by fire.
• P. m. var. grandiflora once thought to be sterile, is now recorded as being able to set seed, and so could also become a problem plant.

Spread
• Grows readily from seed, dispersed by wind, water, seed contaminated soil and dumped garden refuse.

Control
• Best from June to October before flowering and seed set.
• Hand pull small plants, cut and swab larger plants.
• Herbicide spray the prolific germination of seedlings after
removal of larger shrubs (best in Autumn).
• Follow-up required for many years.

Polygala

GROW ME INSTEAD

Cockies Tongue

Cockies Tongue

Templetonia retusa

Erect shrub to 3 m high. The leaves can vary from greyish greengreen, oval, 1.5-4 cm long by 0.7-2.5 cm wide, with a blunt tip. Masses of striking red, pea-shaped flowers, 2.5-4 cm long in July to October are a feature.

Flowers are followed by oblong, flat, seed pods, 4-5 cm long by 1 cm wide, which burst open in hot
weather and throw the seed out. Common in woodland and heath mainly along the coast and also grows in deep sands. Can be propagated easily from seed or cuttings.

Cockies Tongue