Koster’s curse is a highly invasive perennial shrub that rapidly forms dense thickets, invading forests, plantations and pastures and smothering native vegetation.
Koster’s curse is a highly invasive perennial shrub that rapidly forms dense thickets, invading forests, plantations and pastures and smothering native vegetation. It is capable of growing in undisturbed areas, giving it the potential to cause widespread damage to sensitive native vegetation. In disturbed areas it will increase rapidly once introduced.
Koster’s curse originates from South America, from Mexico, through to northern Argentina and the Caribbean Islands. In its native range Koster’s curse is not found in forests, yet it is a highly invasive weed in tropical forests where it has been introduced.
Koster’s curse is considered a serious weed in Hawaii, tropical Pacific islands (Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu), Southeast Asia (Thailand to New Guinea) and the Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles, La Reunion, Mauritius and Madagascar). It has become naturalised on the Indian subcontinent (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan) and in Tanzania.
In Australia, an infestation was first detected in 2001 near Julatten in far north Queensland. It is thought to have entered the country from contaminated packaging material. This infestation is currently subject to a national eradication campaign.
Koster’s curse has not been detected in New South Wales (NSW), but has the potential to invade the humid northern coastal areas.
In ideal conditions, each plant is capable of producing thousands of seeds per year. Dispersal of seed is mostly by berry eating birds, but can also be spread by contaminated soil movement.
Seeds can remain viable in the soil for at least four years. Seedling establishment is very successful and plants can reach full maturity in less than twelve months.
Koster’s curse is a bushy perennial shrub covered in reddish-brown bristly hairs. It will generally grow to around 2 m high, although it can grow up to 5 m in moist, shady conditions.
Key identification features
Koster's curse prefers tropical climates with an annual rainfall over 1200 mm, growing in both shaded areas and full sunlight.
Reviewed by: Rod Ensbey Edited by: Elissa van Oosterhout, Birgitte Verbeek
Queensland Government—Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (2011) Fact sheet—Koster’s curse Clidemia hirta
Hosking JR, Sainty GR, Jacobs SWL & Dellow LL (in prep) The Australian WeedBOOK.
If you suspect you have found Koster’s curse, your local council weeds officer will assist with identification, removal and eradication.
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2020
Fluroxypyr 200 g/L
(Starane™)
Rate: 500 mL to 1 L per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: 7 days.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2020
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L
(Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 300 to 600 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: 7 days.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2020
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Roundup®)
Rate: One part product to 50 parts water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2020
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Roundup®)
Rate: One part product to 9 parts water
Comments: Splatter gun
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2020
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Roundup®)
Rate: One part product to 20 parts water
Comments: Wipe onto leaves
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2020
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg
(Brush-off®)
Rate: 10 - 20 g per 100 L water plus surfactant
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: B, Inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2020
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg
(Brush-off®)
Rate: 10 g per 1 L of water plus surfactant
Comments: Wipe onto leaves
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: B, Inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
Area | Duty |
---|---|
All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
All of NSW |
Prohibited Matter
A person who deals with prohibited matter or a carrier of prohibited matter is guilty of an offence. A person who becomes aware of or suspects the presence of prohibited matter must immediately notify the Department of Primary Industries |
Reviewed 2018