Honey bush

Honey bush is a dense spreading shrub that can grow up to 1.5 metres.

Description

• Leaves are lime green, short and prickly, divided into many segments.

• Produces sweetly scented white-cream/yellow/pink flowers.

• Fruit are smooth to rough and warty (1.5-2cm long).

• Seeds are dispersed by wind or vegetatively via runners (underground stems).

• Habitats include heath or woodland areas.

What you need to know

Honey bush outcompetes native plants and alters ecosystems potentially disrupting the balance of local flora and fauna.

Management approach

Honey bush 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 honey bush yourself. Report any sightings to us.