FLOWERS: FRUITS: • Small individual flowers • Fruits topped with fine feathery hairs • Highly variable • Seeds are small, brown, with lighter ridges • Deep pink to magenta, crimson-red or white Cape Town Weed Alert • Strongly scented • Late spring to late summer Devil’s beard (Centranthus ruber) (Centranthus ruber) (Centranthus
Devil’s beard Devil’s
SHRUB: • Herbaceous shrub • 1m high IDENTIFICATION:
LEAVES: STEM: • 5-8mm in length in opposite pairs Please report all sightings of devil’s beard to • Soft, herbaceous stem • Oval to lance-shaped www.capetowninvasives.org.za Why is it a problem? Legal status Join the • Rapidly spreads out of gardens. • Competes with indigenous fynbos. Cape Town • Can form dense vegetative stands. • Invades wetlands. EDRR • Insects may neglect pollinating indigenous flowers in preference for this one. 1b Spotter Network
NEMBA Category 1b Invader How does it spread? Remove & Destroy What can I do? May not be traded
• The climate is suitable for the spread of this ornamental plant. Common names 1) Sign up to the Spotter Network at • Prolific seed production. www.capetowninvasives.org.za • Red valerian • Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate 2) Log your sightings on the Spotter Network so we know where the plants are situated. Sightings to date How do I remove it? 3) How do I remove it? Help us complete this picture. If you can physically remove the plant, log its removal on Where does it grow? Have you seen it? • Young shoots can be pulled out by hand. the system so that we know that it has been removed. • Mature plants need to be physically dug out by the roots. 4) If you can’t remove it yourself, the Cape Town • Ensure all root fragments are removed. Invasive Species Unit will send out a team. • For chemical control, contact the Cape Town Invasive Species office. • WARNING: Herbicides should only be applied by suitably trained and equipped For more information, contact: The Cape Town Invasive Species Unit, individuals. Environmental Resource Management, Westlake Conservation Office, Ou Kaapse Weg, Tokai. What if I can’t remove it myself? Tel: (021) 712 1434/1944 Email: [email protected] Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ctinvasives Join the Spotter Network and the Cape Town Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) unit will send out a team to help you.
Help us protect Cape Town’s natural heritage from alien invader plant species. Sign up online and become a volunteer. www.capetowninvasives.org.za