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) the most common species in NSW:
- 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 grow in all regions of NSW. They are widespread throughout dryland cropping areas.
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
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.
PERMIT 14249 Expires 31/03/2030
Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L
(Grazon® Extra)
Rate: 250-500 mL per 100 L
Comments: Spray at rosette stage from October to May. For areas of native vegetation and non-cropland areas. See permit for critical comments.
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
PERMIT 14249 Expires 31/03/2030
Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 250-500 mL per 100 L
Comments: Spray at rosette stage from October to May. For areas of native vegetation and non-cropland areas. See permit for critical comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 11916 Expires 30/09/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 100 mL per 10 L of water
Comments: Spot spray actively growing plants. Only for use in these situations: urban bushland, forests and coastal reserves. See permit for critical comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
2,4-D amine 700 g/L
(Amicide Advance 700)
Rate: 285 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Spray young, actively growing plants, ensuring thorough coverage. For use in 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
Aminocyclopyrachlor 240 g/L
(Method® 240 SL)
Rate: 200-500 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray with a handgun, hand-held sprayer or backpack sprayer. Thoroughly and uniformly wet the foliage but avoid spraying to the point of run off.
Withholding period: Nil for domestic grazing. See label for livestock export conditions.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
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
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 non-ionic surfactant (Uptake® Spraying Oil or equivalent) at a rate of 200 mL per 100 L.
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
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. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2025
