Weed Identification

Australia > QLD > > Koster’s Curse

Koster’s Curse

Clidemia hirta

IMPORTANT: IF YOU SUSPECT THE PRESENCE OF THIS PLANT, PLEASE REPORT IT BY CALLING 1800 084 881 (local call cost anywhere in Australia)
or
REPORT IT ONLINE.

Alternative Name(s): Soapbush, Hairy Clidemia

Family: Melostomataceae.

Form: Shrub

Origin: Native from Mexico to northern Argentina and to the Caribbean Islands.

Flowers/Seedhead: In small groups in the leaf axils or at the end of branches. Flowers with petals to 9 mm long. Flowers year round.

Description: Shrub to 5 m high in shade but generally less than 2 m high. Leaves widest about the middle, hairy above and below, 5–14 cm long, 4–7 cm wide, upper surface shiny green, lower surface paler. Seeds about 0.6 mm long.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by plant covered with reddish bristly hairs; opposite leaves with 5 conspicuous longitudinal veins and obvious cross veins; flowers with 5 white or pinkish petals, stamens 8–10; fruit a blue-black to purplish berry to 5 mm wide and with over 100 seeds.

Dispersal: Spread by seed, mainly by birds.


Dark blue berry & 5-veined opposite leaves, Malaysia

Notes: First recorded as naturalised in north Queensland in 2001. Occurs at low density as an early successional species in its native range. Grows in areas with over 1,200 mm of rainfall. Will grow in undisturbed areas but populations increase rapidly following disturbance. Shade tolerant and will also grow in full sunlight. A weed of forests, plantations and pastures in the tropics. Considered to be a weed in Hawaii, tropical Pacific Islands (particularly Fiji), southeast Asia (Malaysia to New Guinea), Indian Ocean Islands and Madagascar.

References:

    Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy Weeds Target List. B. Waterhouse and A. Mitchell. 1998, AQIS Miscellaneous Publication 6/98, pages 53–54.

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

Wrinkled leaves & 5-petalled flowers, Indonesia
photo C.Wilson
Opposite leaves
photo J.Grinshaw

This weed has been included in the WEEDeck field guide as card S30

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

 

Australia > QLD > > Koster’s Curse

SITE MAP

Site Map

National Weeds Strategy | Weed Identification | State and Territory Contacts | About Weeds Australia
Australian Weeds Committee | Target Species for Biological Control | Training and Materials
Web Addresses | Feedback | Weeds of National Significance | Noxious Weeds List
Glossary of Acronyms | National Weeds Management Facilitator

National Weeds Strategy
Telephone: (03) 6344 9657
Fax: (03) 6343 1877
Email: jthorp@weeds.org.au

Privacy Statement

Legal Notice

 Site Design - Computer Support Tasmania
© Australian Weeds Committee
National Weeds Strategy State and Territory Contacts Australian Weeds Committee Web Addresses and Other Stuff Weeds of National Significance Glossary of Acronyms Weed Identification & Information About Weeds Australia Target Species for Biological Control Training and Materials Feedback Noxious Weeds List Search Weeds Australia National Weeds Management Facilitator Home