Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia)
Bellyache bush is a tropical shrub or small tree. It forms dense thickets that crowd out other vegetation. It is a Weed of National Significance.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Bellyache bush invades disturbed areas and overgrazed pastures, forming dense thickets that crowd out other vegetation. Its seeds are highly toxic to stock and humans, and its sap can cause dermatitis. It has been declared a Weed of National Significance in Australia.
Where is it found?
Bellyache bush is native from Mexico to Paraguay, and was probably introduced to Australia as an ornamental plant in the late 1800s. Bellyache bush is a tropical species that is frost sensitive, it is unlikely to survive in New South Wales.
What does it look like?
Bellyache bush is an erect shrub or small tree up to 4 m high. Leaves are green to purple, 5 to 14 cm long and 7 to 13 cm wide with 3 to 5 lobes. The leaves are sticky and the bush contains watery sap. Flowers are 6 to 9 mm wide with red to purple petals that have yellow bases. Flowering occurs most of the year but predominantly in late summer and autumn. Fruit are oblong, three-lobed capsules about 1.1 cm long, containing 2 or 3 brown seeds 0.6 to 0.8 cm long. Capsules are initially green and ripen to dark brown.
Control
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
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.
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L
(Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 300 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray application
Withholding period: 7 days.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
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 |
Prohibition on dealings
Must not be imported into the State or sold |
| North West |
Regional Recommended Measure*
Land managers should mitigate the risk of new weeds being introduced to their land. The plant should be eradicated from the land and the land kept free of the plant. The plant should not be bought, sold, grown, carried or released into the environment. Notify local control authority if found. |
| *To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfill the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
For further information call the NSW DPI Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244 or send an email to weeds@dpi.nsw.gov.au
For further information call the NSW DPI Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244 or send an email to weeds@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Reviewed 2018
