Fleabane (Conyza species)

Also known as: flaxleaf fleabane

Fleabane is an upright annual. It is a major weed of dryland cropping in many parts of NSW.

Profile

How does this weed affect you?

Fleabane is a major weed of dryland cropping in many parts of NSW. It has been confirmed as glyphosate resistant. An integrated weed management approach is required. 

What does it look like?

Fleabanes are erect annual herbs. Six species of Conyza have naturalised in NSW the three most common weedy species in NSW are:

• Flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis), which is the most common species in NSW, it:
  • is up to 1 m tall
  • is grey-green overall, very hairy and  branched from the base
  • has leaves with toothed margins 4–9 cm long, 5–15 mm wide
  • has whitish flowers that are present for most of the year.
• Tall fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis, also called Conyza albida), which is dark green overall, hairy with a single upright stem up to 2 m tall, and has creamy coloured flowers with reddish brown bracts.
• Canadian fleabane (Conyza canadensis) which is light yellow-green overall, with scattered hairs, a single very hairy stem and small brownish flowers. 

Where is it found?

Fleabanes are widespread throughout dryland cropping areas of NSW. They are native to the Americas.

How does it spread?

Fleabane plants can produce over 100 000 seeds each. The seeds are spread by wind, water and by sticking to animals and vehicles.

More information

back to top

Control

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

---

2,4-D amine 700 g/L (Amicide Advance 700)
Rate: 285 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Pastures, rights of way and Industrial areas
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Flumioxazin 500 g/L (Terrain)
Rate: 700g per ha
Comments: Fence lines (pre-emergence)
Withholding period: Do not allow livestock to graze vegetation present at the time of treatment for 2 weeks after application. See label for more information.
Herbicide group: 14 (previously group G), Inhibition of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Glufosinate-ammonium 200 g/L (Basta® )
Rate: 3 to 5 L per ha
Comments: Boom spray for Commercial and industrial areas, forest plantations, rights-of-way and other non-agricultural areas.
Withholding period: Variable, up to 16 weeks, see label for more information.
Herbicide group: 10 (previously group N), Inhibition of glutamine synthetase
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Glufosinate-ammonium 200 g/L (Basta® )
Rate: 500 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray: Commercial and industrial areas, forest plantations, rights-of-way and other non-agricultural areas.
Withholding period: Variable, up to 16 weeks, see label for more information.
Herbicide group: 10 (previously group N), Inhibition of glutamine synthetase
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Glufosinate-ammonium 200 g/L (Basta® )
Rate: 75 mL in 15 L of water
Comments: Knapsack spray for commercial and industrial areas, forest plantations, rights-of-way and other non-agricultural areas.
Withholding period: Variable, up to 16 weeks, see label for more information.
Herbicide group: 10 (previously group N), Inhibition of glutamine synthetase
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Glyphosate-trimesium 480 g/L (Glyphosate Trimesium 480)
Rate: 2 to 3 L per ha
Comments: Industrial, commercial, domestic and public service areas
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Glyphosate-trimesium 480 g/L (Glyphosate Trimesium 480)
Rate: 500 to 700 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Pastures (wiper and spot treatment), industrial, commercial, domestic and public service areas
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Glyphosate-trimesium 480 g/L (Glyphosate Trimesium 480)
Rate: 1 part product to 2 parts water
Comments: Pastures (wiper and spot treatment)
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L with Glyphosate 450 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 2 L/ha of Grazon Extra + 2.4 L/ha glyphosate (450g/L) plus 100% non-ionic surfactant (e.g. BS1000) at 0.2% v/v
Comments: Spray up to 8 leaf stage or rosettes up to 10 cm diameter. Commercial and industrial areas, rights of way, pastures and agricultural non-crop areas.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

back to top

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.

back to top

Reviewed 2024