Green Cestrum Cestrum Parqui
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Green Cestrum Cestrum parqui This weed is declared noxious in many local councils across Sydney. Always check the declaration and control requirements for your own local council area at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/weeds/noxweed R. Gleeson R. Gleeson R. Gleeson What does it look like? How does it affect the environment? • Erect, perennial shrub to 3m high Green cestrum is a vigorous plant that can out-compete • Leaves are alternate, up to 12cm long and 2.5cm wide, other vegetation. Green cestrum is toxic to animals and have an unpleasant odour when crushed including cattle, sheep, horse, pigs, poultry and humans. • Greenish-yellow flowers grow in clusters at the ends of Reference and controls branches are trumpet shaped and up to 2.5cm long. General information on control methods, can be found • Flowers produce an unpleasant perfume during the day in the most recent edition of the annual Noxious and but can smell quite sweet in the evening. Environmental Weed Control Handbook (found on the DPI • Clusters of shiny, black, egg-shaped berries 7–10mm website). The most appropriate weed control methods long are produced during summer and autumn. should always be checked with your Local Control Authority (local council or county council). Growth and spread? Green cestrum seeds germinate mainly in autumn with • WEEDeck from www.sainty.com.au young plants taking two or more years to flower and set • www.dpi.nsw.gov.au seed. Mature plants will flower and seed each year. Seeds from these plants can remain dormant in the soil for many • www.sydneyweeds.org.au years. Established plants are semi-deciduous, losing • www.aabr.org.au most of their leaves during winter and producing rapid new growth in spring. Green cestrum originally spread from gardens where it was grown as an ornamental plant. In areas where it is !!WARNING!! Green cestrum frequently causes ‘sudden death’ now naturalised, it is spread most commonly in droppings in livestock and is highly toxic to all animal species from birds that have eaten the berries. Seed is also readily and humans. Signs of poisoning include diarrhoea, spread along watercourses during floods. Green cestrum abdominal pain, depression, disorientation, walking is a common weed on vacant allotments, roadsides and with a stagger, irritability, weakness, going off their creek banks. feed, lying on the ground, and finally a period of coma or terminal convulsions. © Copyright 2012 Sydney Weeds Committees. All rights reserved..