Many-stemmed, perennial, erect or scrambling herb about 1.5 m tall. Stems are purple, hairy, opposite and woody when mature. Leaves are willowy, serrated, about 10 x 2.5 cm and opposite. Flowers are small, white and borne in clusters in August – January. Seeds are black and five-angled.
To help protect our environment:
Forest, forest margins, shrublands, wetlands, riparian margins, coastal areas, estuaries, slips, alluvial flats, light gaps.
Seeds dispersed by wind and water. Vegetative spread from layering of trailing stems.
Forms dense colonies, smothering native plants and preventing native regeneration. Causes sediment build-up, altered flow regimes and potentially flooding along riparian margins.
Easiest to control at onset of flowering from August to January. Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
Mexican devil has larger leaves with rounded teeth and larger flowers
