Weed Information Sheet - Bitou Bush

(Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata)

Bitou bush, originally introduced from South Africa in 1908, is said to be the single greatest threat to NSW coastal ecosystems and coastal biodiversity, smothering native vegetation and altering the habitat of native coastal fauna. This threatening weed now occupies approximately 80% of the NSW coastline.

Physical control: Hand removal of mature plants is an effective method of control. However, long term follow up removal of new seedlings is essential to avoid reinfestation.

Herbicide control: Herbicide can be applied at low rates during winter without harming native vegetation and is particularly useful for large, heavily infested areas. Herbicide can also be effective applied to individual plants following slashing.

Fire: Depending on the sensitivity of surrounding vegetation, fire can be a useful method of control as it can kill mature plants plus stimulate germination of the soil seedbank.

Biological control: There are currently two effective biological control species including the Bitou Tip Moth (Comostolopsis germana) which destroys developing leaves, buds and flowers and reduces seed production, and the Bitou Seed Fly (Mesoclanis polana) which destroys developing seeds.