Herbs Weed profiles & Native alternatives
I’M A WEED
Common Centuary
Common Centaury
Centaurium erythraea
Erect, biennial herb to 0.5 m high, growing from a small basal rosette. The triangular leaves are arranged opposite each other on the erect stems and the erect flower heads may contain many small, pink-lavender flowers to 1 cm across, flat-faced with yellow anthers from December to March. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule.
Threat / Problem
• Forms dense patches in disturbed coastal dunes, outcompeting native plants.
Spread
• Wind, water and movement of soil.
Control
• Hand pull or spot spray
GROW ME INSTEAD
Coastal Bonefruit
Coastal Bonefruit
Threlkeldia diffusa
Much branched prostrate to erect perennial shrub to 0.3 m high. Succulent leaves 0.5-3 cm long, often tinged red. Flowers are small, green and inconspicuous from May to November. Small purple fruits are edible.
Good groundcover for sandy sites and erosion control on sloping sites.
Coastal Bonefruit
OR GROW ME
Common Sea Heath
Common Sea Heath
Frankenia pauciflora
Highly variable prostrate to ascending shrub, stems sometimes reddish, up to 0.5 m high.
Leaves are fleshy, 0.3-1.3 cm long. Small, pink flowers with 5 petals are produced from June to February.
Drought, salt and lime tolerance makes it a great ground cover for coastal gardens.
Common Sea Heath
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