Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
Also known as:
white horehound
Horehound is a small bushy perennial. It occurs throughout Australia as a weed of neglected areas.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Horehound infestations are extremely hardy once established, preventing desirable species from growing. The seed capsules cling to wool and clothing and may cause considerable matting of sheep fleeces.
What does it look like?
Horehound is a bushy perennial plant, 30 to 80cm high, with deeply crinkled leaves.
What type of environment does it grow in?
Horehound commonly occurs throughout Australia along fence lines, road sides, channel banks, around buildings, sheep camps and neglected areas.
References
Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. and Leigh, J.H. (1992). Plants of Western NSW. CSIRO Publishing.
More information
Control
Chemical and biological controls are available for horehound.
Biological control
Two moths - a plume moth (Wheeleria spilodactylus) and a clear wing moth (Chamaesphecia mysiniformis) have been released against horehound in NSW. The plume moth has a significant impact on the weed, and the clear wing moth has a good impact, but is more difficult and time consuming to rear.
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.
2,4-D LV ester 680g/L
(Estercide® Xtra)
Rate: 1.7 to 3.3 L/ha
Comments: Boom spray application for seedlings from late autumn to early spring
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Dicamba 750 g/L
(Kamba® 750)
Rate: 53 mL per 100 L of water. Add a surfactant.
Comments: Spray prior to flowering. For non crop situations.
Withholding period: Do not harvest, graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Dicamba 750 g/L
(Kamba® 750)
Rate: 800 mL/ha Use a minimum of 1500 L of solution per ha. Add a surfactant.
Comments: Boom spray for non-crop situations. Spray prior to flowering.
Withholding period: Do not harvest, graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
MCPA 500 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 3 L per Hectare
Comments: Boom spray application
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L
(Grazon Extra®)
Rate: 350 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Apply as foliar spray pre-flowering
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: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 350 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Apply as a foliar spray pre-flowering.
Withholding period: Nil.
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 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 2021
