Sheep's bur

A perennial herb growing up to 80cm tall, sheep’s bur has spiny green flowers with purple anthers. Its fruit is covered in red barbed spines. Burs get tangled in and contaminate sheep wool.

Description

• Leaves are divided into pairs of toothed, soft-haired leaflets.
• Flowers are spiny, green with purple anthers.
• Flowers grow from narrow flower spikes, while fruits are covered with red, barbed spines.
• Seeds are dispersed by attachment to wool, fur and clothing.
• Habitats include grasslands, pastures, riverbeds, roadsides, wastelands, and plantations.

What you need to know

Burs get tangled in and contaminate sheep wool.

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.

Control

Site management

Maintaining good pasture cover can prevent establishment or suppress an infestation. Prevent overgrazing, especially in summer. Other herbicides are available for selective use in pasture.

Physical control

Dig or grub out at least the first 5cm of taproot.

Plant parts requiring disposal: Seeds.

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations.

Chemical control

No qualifications: Foliar spray with 100ml glyphosate per 10L of water.

Certified handler/experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 100ml glyphosate per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.

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.

Safety notes

Seeds have spines.