Cestrum (PDF, 138kb) - Cardinia Shire Council
Cestrum (PDF, 138kb) - Cardinia Shire Council
Cestrum (PDF, 138kb) - Cardinia Shire Council
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<strong>Cestrum</strong><br />
Botanical name: <strong>Cestrum</strong> elegans<br />
Common names: <strong>Cestrum</strong>, elegant poison-berry<br />
Origin: Mexico<br />
Environmental<br />
impact<br />
<strong>Cestrum</strong> is a common<br />
garden ornamental that is<br />
highly invasive in moist<br />
habitats such as<br />
creekbanks and wetland<br />
areas, and forms extensive<br />
stands preventing growth<br />
and regeneration of<br />
indigenous plants.<br />
<strong>Cestrum</strong> grows during the<br />
warmer months with<br />
plants becoming<br />
semi-deciduous and<br />
virtually dormant over<br />
winter. <strong>Cestrum</strong> flowers<br />
and seeds after 2–3 years,<br />
with seed remaining<br />
viable in the soil for at<br />
least five years.<br />
Environmental Weed Fact Sheet 18<br />
How it<br />
spreads<br />
<strong>Cestrum</strong> is spread mainly<br />
via seed dispersal and<br />
root material suckering.<br />
Seeds are dispersed via<br />
the excretion of birds<br />
who eat the fruit, and<br />
also via water. <strong>Cestrum</strong><br />
can also spread as a<br />
result of root material being<br />
dislodged via machinery,<br />
floods or contaminated soil,<br />
and establishing in<br />
new areas.<br />
How to<br />
identify<br />
• Tree to 2–3m with<br />
alternate leaves 7–14cm<br />
long, 2–4cm wide, tapering<br />
at ends, upper surface dark<br />
green, and underside lighter,<br />
prominent mid-vein,<br />
unpleasant odour<br />
when crushed.<br />
• Flowers are about 2cm<br />
long, red, tubular, in dense<br />
clusters on the ends of<br />
branches, from<br />
winter–spring.<br />
• Produces a small berry<br />
about 1cm in diameter.<br />
• All parts of the plant<br />
are toxic.
How to control<br />
<strong>Cestrum</strong><br />
Removal<br />
by hand<br />
Small cestrum plants can be<br />
removed by hand or dug out,<br />
but make sure all root material<br />
and fruit is also removed.<br />
Replacement<br />
planting<br />
Hazel pomaderris<br />
Hazel pomaderris (Pomaderris<br />
aspera) is a suitable replacement<br />
for cestrum.<br />
For more information on<br />
indigenous plants or for a list of<br />
indigenous plant nurseries<br />
please contact <strong>Council</strong>.<br />
<strong>Cardinia</strong> <strong>Shire</strong> <strong>Council</strong> offers<br />
a subsidy to landowners who<br />
undertake a farm chemical<br />
users course.<br />
Please contact <strong>Council</strong> for<br />
more information on<br />
1300 787 624.<br />
Information supplied in this pamphlet is<br />
intended as a guide only. While all due care<br />
has been taken, <strong>Cardinia</strong> <strong>Shire</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
accepts no responsibility for the use of the<br />
information or for any errors or omissions.<br />
Environmental Weed Fact Sheet 18<br />
Chemical<br />
control<br />
<strong>Cestrum</strong> may be controlled<br />
using an appropriate<br />
product, registered for use in<br />
Victoria, containing<br />
glyphosate. Larger plants<br />
should be cut down just<br />
above ground level and the<br />
stump immediately painted<br />
with a glyphosate<br />
based herbicide.<br />
Alternatively, using a drill and<br />
fill method, make angled drill<br />
holes, 5cm apart, or cut a<br />
slot with a small axe in the<br />
trunk near the base, and<br />
immediately apply<br />
glyphosate-based herbicide<br />
to exposed stem. Apply in<br />
warmer months when plant<br />
is active but avoid during<br />
extended dry spells when<br />
plant is stressed.<br />
Search the PUBCRIS<br />
database for registered<br />
products at<br />
www.apvma.gov.au.<br />
Alternatively, use<br />
a licensed<br />
herbicide contractor.<br />
Read the label of any<br />
chemical before use and<br />
ensure that you follow<br />
the manufacturer’s<br />
instructions.<br />
Disposal<br />
Root material, flowers, and<br />
fruit should be placed in<br />
plastic bags with your<br />
weekly garbage collection.<br />
Alternatively, use regular<br />
green waste collection, or<br />
take to your local transfer<br />
station. Remaining material<br />
can be composted.