Bogbean

Bogbean is a sprawling, aquatic herb that looks superficially similar to a broad bean.

Description

• Leaves of three leaflets are at the ends of stems and are 3-10cm long.

• Flowers are pinkish/white, star-shaped and clustered, appearing between October-April.

• Seed capsules have brown/yellow seeds.

• Predominately spreads via creeping rhizomes and stem fragmentation, also via seed.

• Habitats include riparian and lake margins, ponds, and wetlands.

What you need to know

Bogbean grows rapidly and clogs waterways.

Management approach

Bogbean is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of bogbean yourself. Report any sightings to us.