Succulents Weed profiles & Native alternatives
Similar but smaller than the Century Plant is the broad-leaved aloe (Aloe saponaria). Stonecrops (Crassula spp.), Tree Aeonium (Aeonium arboreum), Pig’s Ear (Cotyledon sp.) and Red-hot Poker
(Knifofia spp.) also spread from gardens into native vegetation.
Cacti such as Indian Fig (Opuntia ficus-indica) and Coral Cacti (Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata) are also extremely welladapted to the harsh conditions of coastal dunes and are easily spread, usually from dumped garden waste.
I’M A WEED
Broad-leaved Aloe – Aloe saponaria
Pig’s Ear – Cotyledon orbiculata
Indian Fig – Opuntia ficus-indica
I’M A WEED
Stonecrop – Crassula sp.
Pig’s Ear – Cotyledon orbiculata
Coral Cacti – Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata
I’M A WEED
Tree Aeonium – Aeonium arboreum
Red-hot Poker – Knifofia spp.
Spread
• Most succulents and cacti reproduce vegetatively and are spread by dumping of garden waste. Some may also spread by seed after flowering.
Control
• Most succulents can be removed manually, ensuring all material is removed and disposed of off-site.
• Herbicide treatment is by injection or spraying can be effective for some. Seek specialist advice.
GROW ME INSTEAD
Carpobrotus rossii
Pigface
Carpobrotus rossii
A hardy prostrate, spreading groundcover with stems to 1 m or more long. Leaves are succulent, 3.5-10 cm long and 1 cm wide, curved and triangular in cross section. Flowers are a stiking pink to light purple, up to 6 cm in diameter. The globular, purplish, edible, red fruit is about 2.5 cm long and 1.5 cm wide.
Colourful attractive groundcover for sloping sites, rockeries and low maintenance gardens.
Carpobrotus rossii
OR GROW ME
Disphyma crassifolium
Round-leaved Pigface
Disphyma crassifolium
Prostrate, succulent shrub or annual herb to 30 cm high. Green to reddish leaves are round in cross-section and become more red in dry conditions. Flowers are pink, purple or violet, 2-5 cm in diameter from October to February. Globular fruit is 0.5-1.2 cm in diameter, red and succulent at first, becoming dry and hardened.
Found on saline soils, rocky coastal cliffs and saline soils inland. Frost and drought tolerant.
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