Sea spurge

Sea spurge is a perennial herb that can grow up to 1 metre tall that prefers salty coastal waters.

Description

• Stems are erect, blue/grey maturing to reddish brown and grow from a woody base.

• Leaves are fleshy, crowded and stalkless.

• Flowers are cup shaped, yellow-green, appearing near the stem tips.

• Seed capsules are dark green maturing to grey-brown and contain three pale smooth seeds. Distributed by explosive seed pods and water.

• Habitats include coastal areas, estuaries, sand dunes, and rocky shorelines.

What you need to know

Sea spurge can form dense infestations, displacing native vegetation and altering habitat structure.

Management approach

Sea spurge 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 sea spurge yourself. Report sightings to the Department of Conservation on 0800 ASK DOC (0800 275 362) or info@doc.govt.nz