Aeonium

Aeonium is a densely branched succulent no taller than 1m with shallow roots. It is an aggressive coloniser and outcompetes threatened and endangered native plants.

Description

• Leaves grow from a single point on branches in rosettes
• Leaves are fleshy, oval to lance-like in shape, grey-green or yellowish-green with a red tinge along the edges and end in a sharp point.
• Flowers are star-shaped, pale yellow to creamy white and grow as clusters in spring.
• Seeds are dispersed by wind. Vegetative dispersal by roots, stem, and leaf fragments.
• Dispersed by human-mediated dispersal by intentional plantings and dumping of garden waste.
• Habitats include coastal areas, rocky outcrops, sandy soils, gravel beds, gardens, bare ground, and wastelands.

What you need to know

Aggressive coloniser forming dense ground cover in disturbed high biodiversity coastal environments, outcompeting native plants, some of which are only found in Canterbury or are threatened or endangered.

Management approach

Community Led

These organisms have not been legally declared as pests but may be of interest to the public as they occur regularly in the environment. They may be capable of causing adverse effects to the values of Waitaha/Canterbury.

Consider removing this invasive species from your property and consult your local council for appropriate disposal. Consider lower-risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.

Control

Site management

Follow up treated areas three times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after two to three treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical control

Dig out whole seedlings only.

Plant parts requiring disposal: all parts, including roots.

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations.

Chemical control

Certified handler/experienced agrichemical user: foliar spray with 3g metsulfuron-methyl with 150ml glyphosate per 10L of water and 10ml penetrant or herbicide containing picloram.

Do not move plant material as new plants can grow from leaf and stem fragments.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Biological control

Biological control is currently not available for this species.