Carrion flower (Orbea variegata)
Also known as:
star flower, starfish cactus, toad cactus
Carrion flower is a succulent plant with upright fleshy stems and star-shaped foul smelling flowers. It forms dense mats preventing other plants from growing.
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How does this weed affect you?
Carrion flower forms dense mats in arid regions. It prevents native grass and herb seedlings from growing. It also reduces the growth and health of saltbush if it grows underneath them.
What does it look like?
Carrion flower is a leafless, perennial herb with fleshy stems. It is a groundcover up to 25 cm tall.
Stems are:
- thick and fleshy with serrated edges
- 15-25 cm long, 1-2 cm wide
- grey-green, or purple-tinged when growing in full sun.
Flowers are:
- five lobed and star-shaped
- 5-8 cm wide
- cream to yellow with brown or purple markings
- foul smelling to attract flies for pollination
- present from late summer to autumn.
Fruit:
Each flower produces a pair of pods that split open to release fine seeds attached to a tuft of silky hairs. The pods are:
- smooth
- cylindrical
- 12 cm long.
Where is it found?
Carrion flower has been found in the North West and Central West regions of NSW in the Pilliga National Park and at Peak Hill. It also grows in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
It is native to south-western Africa.
What type of environment does it grow in?
Carrion flower grows in arid areas with sandy, well-drained soil. It has invaded arid bluebush and saltbush shrublands in Australia. The plant is also grown in gardens and pots as an ornamental plant.
Maps and records
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Recorded presence of Carrion flower during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2024)
These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
How does it spread?
By seeds
Carrion flower fruit have lots of seeds, which are easily spread by wind. Seeds germinate easily.
By plant parts
Plants can also spread by stem fragments, which can be moved by animals, people dumping garden waste in the bush, machinery or water.
References
Biosecurity South Australia (2015). Draft fact sheet Declared Plant Carrion flower Orbea variegata. Government of South Australia.
Honan, I. (2006). A succulent escape in the arid lands of southern Australia–carrion flower (Orbea variegata). In Proceedings of the 15th Australian Weeds Conference, eds. C. Preston, JH Watts and ND Crossman (pp. 188-90)
PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au [date accessed: May 2017]
Queensland Government (2016). Weeds of Australia, Biosecurity Queensland edition Fact sheet: Orbea variegata in Weeds of Australia, Biosecurity, Queensland Edition.
More information
Control
Prevention
Don't plant carrion flower in your garden. Dispose of plant material appropriately to stop accidental spread.
Learn to identify carrion flower and remove plants early to reduce the chance of spread. Small infestations are easier to get rid of.
Physical removal
Carrion flower can be easily removed by hand pulling plants. Take care to remove the whole plant and dispose of any plant material appropriately to prevent regrowth or spread.
Chemical control
Herbicides are effective but it may take a while before the plant dies. Care should be taken to avoid accidental damage to native plants.
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.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
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 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 200 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 35 mL per L diesel/kerosene
Comments: Basal bark
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 31/03/2025
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 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L
(Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 21 mL per L diesel/kerosene
Comments: Basal bark
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 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: One part product to 50 parts 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 31/03/2025
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 31/03/2025
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg
(Various products)
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: 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 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. |
| Central West |
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. |
| *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 2023
