Weed Identification

Australia > > Myrtle-Leaf Milkwort

Myrtle-Leaf Milkwort

Polygala myrtifolia

Alternative Name(s): Butterfly Bush.

Family: Polygalaceae.

Form: Shrub

Origin: Native of South Africa.

Flowers/Seedhead: Superficially pea-like. Flowers throughout year, mostly spring.

Description: Shrub to 2 (rarely to 4) m high. Leaves alternate. Capsule almost circular, flat, heartshaped, to 10 mm wide and containing 2 seeds. Seeds ovoid to cylindrical, about 4 mm long, with scattered hairs.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by mature leaves elliptic to broad-elliptic, to 5 cm long and to 2 cm wide; flowers purple and white, to 20 mm long in terminal racemes to 5 cm long, innermost sepals wing-like and resemble petals.

Dispersal: Seeds are spread by water, ants, birds, garden waste, contaminated soil and through cultivation.


Flowering shrubs, Somers, Vic, October
photo J. R. Hosking

Notes: Introduced as an ornamental and known to be naturalised in Victoria in 1886. Mainly naturalised in coastal areas where it is an increasing environmental problem. Also a weed in New Zealand. Biological control agents are being investigated for potential control of this weed.

References:

    Flora of Victoria.N.Walsh and T. Entwisle (eds), 1994, Vol. 4, pages 132. Flora of NSW. G. Harden (ed), Vol. 3, 1992, page 6.

Web References: Search Australian web sites for further information on this weed.

Purple flowers & elliptic leaves,
Discovery Bay, Vic, October

This weed has been included in the WEEDeck field guide as card S11

More information about WEEDeck is available from Sainty & Associates Pty. Ltd.

 

Australia > > Myrtle-Leaf Milkwort

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