Holly leaved senecio

Also known as pink ragwort or senecio glastifolius

General description of holly leaved senecio

Herbaceous perennial plant with oval leaves coarsely toothed, holly-like, up to 1.5 metres tall with purple, and mauve or pink flowers in clusters with yellow centres.

It flowers from late September to December producing downy, parachute-like seeds which are mainly spread by wind.

Impact on the environment

This plant is highly visible in urban and some outlying rural areas. It is an aggressive garden escapee that establishes rapidly on lightly stocked pasture land, cut-over pine forest lots, wasteland, reserves and road sides.

Seeds are mostly spread by the wind, but can also be spread by humans and contaminated machinery.

Control

To help minimise or stop the spread of this plant, you can help by hand pulling individual or scattered plants on your property, preferably before the plant comes into flower.

Pull out large plants before flowering, removing crown. Burn flowers or seed heads.

When plants are in flower, remove flower heads and burn them.

Larger infestations can be controlled by using an approved herbicide before plants flower.  Or cut them off at ground level and remove all live foliage.

Maintain good pasture cover to prevent re-establishment.

Regional Pest Management Strategy

Holly leaved senecio is a 'containment plant pest' in the Regional Pest Management Strategy. 

It is the responsibility of land occupiers to destroy the plants to prevent seeding and to maintain a 20 metre boundary clearance back from adjacent land that is free of this plant.