Holly leaved senecio (Senecio glastifolius)

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Holly leaved senecio is an erect, daisy like plant with purple flowers. It can outcompete other low growing native plants

This plant should not be sold in parts of NSW

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How does this weed affect you?

Holly leaved senecio can outcompete some native plants. It is invasive in open, damp areas, where it can outcompete understorey vegetation.

What does it look like?

Holly leaved senecio is an erect, branched, perennial (occasionally annual) herb, 50–150 cm high.

Leaves are:

3–15 cm long and1.0–2.5 cm wide
irregularly toothed along the edges and sometimes with coarse prickly teeth at the base
smaller and less toothed higher up the branches
hairless
stalkless and wrapped around the stem.

Flowers are:

daisy-like with 12-22 pink or mauve petals and yellow centres
up to 6 cm in diameter
present from spring to early summer.

Seeds are:

2–3 mm long
dark brown to black with a tuft of white hairs 7–9 mm long.

Stems are:

usually upright
multi-branched especially in older plants
square in cross section
hairless
up to 8 cm in diameter at the base.

Where is it found?

In NSW, holly leaved senecio has been found growing in woodlands at Bundeena in the Greater Sydney region. Holly leaved senecio has also established in Western Australia near Albany. It is widespread in parts of New Zealand.

Holly leaved senecio is native to South Africa. Its small natural range is a narrow coastal strip of the Eastern Cape. Even in this area, it has become a weed of disturbed sites and agricultural land. Holly leaved senecio was introduced to Australia as an ornamental garden plant.

What type of environment does it grow in?

Holly leaved senecio grows in temperate climates with either winter-dominant or year-round rainfall. Most plants grow close to the ocean and they can tolerate windy sites. They grow in nutrient-poor deep sandy soils and on rocky sites.

In its natural range, it also grows in shrubland and near waterways. It can invade:

coastal dunes, heathland and shrubland
disturbed areas such as roadsides
pastures
sites that have recently been burnt.

Maps and records

Recorded presence of Holly leaved senecio during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2026)
These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.

How does it spread?

By seed

Holly leaved senecio reproduces from seeds, which can travel long distances on the wind. Seeds can sprout in two weeks in warm and wet conditions or may remain viable in the soil for a long time. Seed can also spread by machinery including slashers.

Fire and soil disturbance encourage holly leaved senecio seed to grow. Fire followed by good rain has promoted its spread in Western Australia.

By plant parts

Fallen branches can form roots. These could be spread by people dumping garden waste.

References

PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 23 June 2026 from: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Senecio~glastifolius

van der Wall, L., Baker, K., Lloyd, S. & Randall, R. (2003). Weed Management Guide: Holly leaved senecio (Senecio glastifolius). CRC for Australian Weed Management.

Williams, P. A., Ogle, C. C., Timmins, S. M., La Cock, G., & Reid, V. (1999). Biology and ecology of Senecio glastifolius and its spread and impacts in New Zealand. Science for Conservation, 112, 23.

More information

Control

Check for and control new seedlings after rain events, fire or soil disturbance.

By hand

Pull or dig out plants. Remove all plant material from the site and dispose of it. Contact your local council for advice on how to dispose of this plant.

Herbicide control

Spot spraying

Spray actively growing plants. Cover all of the foliage with the herbicide mixture.

Splatter gun

Splatter-guns use small amounts of concentrated herbicide. They spray large droplets that limit spray drift. They are useful for very dense infestations of weeds that are difficult to reach.

Weed wipers

Wipers or wands apply herbicide directly onto leaves. This can better target the chemical and minimise damage to other species.

Herbicide options

WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au

See Using herbicides for more information.

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Fluroxypyr 200 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 500 mL to 1 L per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock feed for 7 days after application. See label for further information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L (Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 300 to 600 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock food for 7 days after application. See label for more information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 200 mL per 10 L of water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: One part product to 9 parts water
Comments: Splatter gun
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: One part product to 20 parts water
Comments: Wipe onto leaves
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 10 - 20 g per 100 L water plus non-ionic surfactant at a rate of 100 mL per 100 L.
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: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 10 g per 1 L of water plus non-ionic surfactant at a rate of 100 mL per 100 L.
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: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the NSW 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 pest 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.
Greater Sydney	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Eradication) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found.
South East	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Prevention) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.

Reviewed 2026