Black roly-poly (Sclerolaena muricata)
Black roly-poly is a spiny, dense, short-lived shrub. It is problematic in temperate and semi-arid regions.
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How does this weed affect you?
Black roly-poly is a native plant of the Chenopodiaceae family, which includes other roly-poly plants, saltbushes and crumbweeds. It is regarded as a weed because it is generally not eaten by livestock due to the length of its spines, its burrs and spines contaminate wool, and it competes with plants that do provide feed. Black roly-poly has similar impacts to galvanised burr (Sclerolaena birchii) but is less likely to be grazed due to the greater length of its spines.
Dense infestations occur periodically, causing concern to graziers as it reduces wool values by causing vegetable fault. Spines that become detached from the burrs are problematic for wool-processing as they can become aligned with the wool fibres in spun yarn. Black roly poly is only one of many species that can cause this type of fault in wool.
The spines and burrs are a considerable nuisance to shearers, stock and working dogs. At times when shearers are in high demand, they may choose to avoid shearing where sheep are carrying large numbers of burrs. Dense infestations also impede stock movement and block cultivation machinery.
What does it look like?
Black roly-poly is a hemispherical, short-lived, perennial shrub about 1 m in height and diameter, with slender tangled branches.
Flowers are solitary in the leaf axils and flowering occurs most of the year.
Fruiting bodies (burrs) are tube-like, 1-2.5 mm long with an angled base, with 5 slender spreading spines at the top. The three longest spines are 4-10 mm long. The two shorter ones occur close together, often joined at the base.
There are three varieties of black roly-poly in NSW: S. muricata var. muricata, S. muricata var. semiglabra and S. muricata var. villosa.
Black roly-poly varieties
Var. muricata
Stems and leaves are hairless. Leaves are dark bluish-green, 6-20 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, and tapered at both ends.
Var. semiglabra
Stems have a covering of woolly hairs. Leaves are an elongated egg shape, 5-10 mm long. The upper surfaces are hairy and the lower surfaces slightly downy.
Var. villosa
The whole plant is softly hairy. Leaves are 6-20 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, and tapered at both ends.
Similar species
The hairiness of the villosa and semiglabra varieties of black roly-poly can cause them to be confused with galvanised burr (Sclerolaena birchii). However, the branches of black roly-poly are more tangled, the spines are longer and the plant is more spherical in appearance than galvanised burr. In general black roly-poly is darker green in colour, more hemispherical (half-sphere shaped) and tends to be less hairy than galvanised burr.
Where is it found?
Black roly-poly is generally restricted to central and western areas of NSW and Queensland, and grows primarily on clay and clay loam soils. Due to the greater moisture holding capacity of these soils black roly-poly can be found in more arid areas than galvanised burr (Sclerolaena birchii).
How does it spread?
Black roly-poly is a short-lived perennial. Seeds germinate in autumn after rain and plants develop a deep tap root during winter.
Mature plants flower throughout the year. Seed develops within the spined woody burr that is firmly attached to the stem. Each burr contains only one seed but large bushes produce many burrs. Mature seed is sealed within the burrs and receives no sap flow from the mother plant allowing seeds to remain viable after the plant itself dies.
Mature plants are usually short lived. Many plants die within two years and few plants survive for more than four years. When a plant dies its tap root breaks allowing the dead bush to roll in the wind. Seeds are distributed as stem segments and burrs break off. Dead bushes commonly accumulate along fencelines. Stem pieces and burrs can also be spread by animals.
The woody burrs must breakdown enough to allow water to enter so that the seed can germinate. This process takes between 1 and 4 years depending on whether the burrs remain on the surface or are buried.
Over a period of years the density of populations will wax and wane. Numbers of plants fall close to zero during long droughts and rise sharply when seasonal conditions are more favourable to germination and growth. The slow breakdown of the woody burrs during long droughts can create large numbers of viable seeds in the soil (the seedbank).
What type of environment does it grow in?
Black roly-poly is native to the temperate and semi-arid regions of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland, growing primarily on clay and clay loam soils.
Acknowledgements
Author: Phillip Blackmore.
Technical reviewers: Stephen Johnson, Bob McGufficke, Birgitte Verbeek.
References
Auld, B.A. and Johnson, S.B. (2011) The biology of Australian Weeds 57. Sclerolaena birchii (F.Muell.) Domin. Plant Protection Quarterly 26 : 1, 2-7.
Auld, B.A., (1973). The effect of herbicides on the germination of galvanised burr (Bassia birchii). Australian Weeds Research Newsletter 18 : 22-3.
Auld, B.A., (1976). The biology of Bassia birchii (F.muell.). Weed Research 16 : 323-30.
Auld, B.A. And Martin, P.M., (1975). Morphology and distribution of Bassia birchii (F.Muell.). Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 100 : 167-78.
Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. And Leigh, J.H., (1981). Galvanised burr and Black roly-poly. Plants of Western New South Wales. P. 249. Soil Conservation Service of NSW and NSW Government Printing Office, Sydney.
Parsons, W. T. And Cuthbertson, E. G., (2001) Galvanised Burr and Five Spined Saltbush ,Noxious Weeds Of Australia Pp 379-83 CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Vic 3066, Australia.
More information
Control
Clearing of native vegetation on rural land is legislated by the Local Land Services Act 2013 and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Seek advice from Local Land Service regarding the restrictions and requirements associated with clearing black roly-poly.
Black roly-poly can be suppressed by a range of techniques, however a high level of control on grazing land is generally not economically justifiable.
The aim of a control program on grazing land should be to minimise the amount of seed entering the seed bank by reducing the numbers of large plants. This approach will reduce the occurrence and severity of future infestations.
Physical control
Plants can be grubbed from the ground and heaped for burning using a tractor-mounted blade. Seedlings will establish after the parent plants are removed and cultivation can then be used to control the populations of seedlings.
Herbicide control
Spray actively growing plants. Ensure that all of the foliage is covered in herbicide. Herbicide does not kill the seeds inside the burrs so burning plants or continued follow up will be required.
Cultivation
Seedlings are unlikely to establish from seed buried to a depth of 40 mm or more. Ploughing arable areas with an implement that inverts the soil will reduce the size of the viable seed bank in heavily infested areas.
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.
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 10 mL per 1 L water
Comments: Spot spray. For general weed control in Domestic areas (Home gardens), Commercial, Industrial and Public Service areas, Agricultural buildings and other farm situations.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
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 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. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Disclaimers
Pasture improvement may be associated with an increase in the incidence of certain livestock health disorders. Livestock and production losses from some disorders are possible. Management may need to be modified to minimise risk. Consult your veterinarian or adviser when planning pasture improvement. The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and Local Land Services Amendment Act 2016 restrict some pasture improvement practices where existing pasture contains native species. Contact Local Land Services for further details.
Reviewed 2021
