Asthma Weed, Pellitory judaica

This weed can be a problem in many areas across Sydney as it can have health implications. It is a common weed on roadsides and in gardens and thrives in cracks especially against walls. Contact your local council for advice on control.

R. Gleeson R. Gleeson R. Gleeson

What does it look like? How does it spread? • Many-branched perennial herb that grows up to grow and produce seed very rapidly (within 2-3 one metre high weeks under favourable conditions). Regrowth is • are green, soft, oval shape with pointed persistent, and plants can and set seed most of ends, and are 2cm to 8cm long the year. The seeds are dispersed by wind, water and • Leaves are arranged alternately along pink or red by attachment to clothing and animals by sticky hairs. stems Seeds are also spread in soil and mud attached to • are very small, light green in colour, and shoes, tyres and machinery. clustered long the stems • Leaves, flowers and stems are covered with sticky Reference and controls hairs General information on control methods, can be found in the most recent edition of the NSW Weed Control Where does it grow? Handbook (found on the DPI website). The most Asthma weed is common on waste-ground, in appropriate weed control methods should always be moist gullies, in and around sandstone outcrops, checked with your local control authority. and as a groundcover in disturbed areas. Is also commonly found in gardens, often growing out of rock crevices, walls and cracks in cement. Asthma weed • www.dpi.nsw.gov.au also known as Pellitory of the wall or sticky weed, has • www.sydneyweeds.org.au taken hold in areas in and around Sydney, • www.aabr.org.au Wollongong and Newcastle. It is also spreading in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. It came into Australia from the Mediterranean region, where it is a !!WARNING!! major problem to control and also a major cause of Asthma weed is related to stinging nettles, and allergies. It causes allergic reactions through its the sticky hairs on the plantʼs leaves and stem may , which is produced throughout the year but produce a skin rash in sensitive people who come copiously in spring, as well as by coming in contact into contact with the . The pollen of asthma with its slightly sticky leaves. weed may also trigger hay fever, conjunctivitis, rhinitis and asthma.

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