Boneseed quickly forms dense thickets and outcompetes native plants. 

A mature boneseed bush can produce 50,000 seeds every year, and each seed can remain dormant for up to 10 years while still being viable.  

• Size: When mature, it is a 2–3-metre-tall bushy, semi-woody, much-branched shrub or small tree. 
• Leaves: 70 x 35 millimetres, smooth, leathery, bright-green leaves that have irregularly toothed edges and are arranged alternately on the stems. 
• Flowers/fruit: Bright-yellow daisy-like flowers followed by hard oval green fruit which ripens to black, each containing a hard seed. 
• Root system: Shallow root system with no taproot.  
• Similar species: Native Olearia species, Brachyglottis kirkii. 
• Habitat: All coastal areas, cliffs, sand dunes, estuary margins, roadsides and inshore islands. 

One of easiest ways to spot this plant is by its bright-yellow flowers, which are out from September to February. 

To reduce the spread of boneseed in Otago and minimise or prevent negative effects on economic wellbeing and the environment, this plant is in the progressive containment programme of the Otago Regional Pest Management Plan (2019–2029).

Everyone in Otago must eliminate boneseed on the land they occupy. This is to ensure infestation levels are reduced and threats to environmental values and biodiversity are minimised.

ORC will take a lead role in supporting the goals of community groups and agencies in relation to boneseed. This may be through advice, education, funding, service delivery or requiring landowners to undertake control when needed.  

Physical control (for juvenile plants):

• Hand-pull all but the large plants (all year round).

Chemical control (for mature plants):

• Cut the stump near the ground and paste it with a suitable herbicide gel containing metsulfuron, triclopyr or glyphosate and leave the plant to rot. 
• Foliage spray using glyphosate and a penetrant. 

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.  

Disclaimer: Mention of product trade names does not endorse these products nor imply criticism of similar products not mentioned. The Otago Regional Council does not give any warranty that the information is accurate or complete or that it is suitable for all circumstances.  

Authorised Person – For the purposes of our pest plan an authorised person is a warranted officer under the Biosecurity Act, for example one of our biosecurity officers.

Eliminate – The permanent prevention of the plant’s ability to produce seed.

Land occupier – An occupier is the person who physically occupies the place, whether they own it or not. For example if you are renting a house owned by someone else that does not live on that property, you are the occupier and are responsible for pest management under the pest plan. You can see more about the responsibilities of occupiers (including owners) in section 3.3.1 of the pest plan

www.orc.govt.nz/boneseed